An updated and expanded edition of David Lu's acclaimed Sources of Japanese History, this compilation of primary documents presents in a clear and accessible format, with full annotation and incisive commentary by Dr. Lu, readings translated from the original Japanese that cover the full spectrum of political, economic, and diplomatic as well as cultural and intellectual history of pre-modern Japan (volume II covers the modern period). The past indeed is prologue: these documents -- written by Japanese contemporaneous with the events described -- provide insight not only into the past but also into Japan's contemporary civilization. Three major criteria were used in the judgment of which documents to translate: (1) that the selection of documents avoid duplication with other documentary collections as much as possible; therefore, fully three-quarters of the documents presented here are newly translated; (2) that a given document accurately reflect the spirit of the times and the lifestyles of the people of that age; (3) that the emphasis be placed on the development of social, economic, and political institutions. - Back cover.