Book Review: Constantine Vaporis' Tour of Duty

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

I just posted a review of Professor Constantine Vaporis' Tour of Duty- Samurai, Military Service in Edo, and the Culture of Early Modern Japan.

For those with an interest in the Edo Period and how the system of alternate attendance helped to shape it, this book is a must read. Please read the review on the Shogun-ki blog at http://shogun-yashiki.blogspot.com
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Heee heee! Shita iro! Shita iro! Here comes his lordship, Baka Tono!
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[Tatsunoshi]

While I had put off buying this book (well, buying it for myself) I think I'll have to go and order it now.

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[Tatsunoshi]

[lordameth]

Thanks for the excellent review. I've seen this title here and there from time to time, but it never really grabbed my attention. I guess I just didn't really know what it was about.

Having just finished McClain's book on Kanazawa, which focuses on the development of a castle town in the Edo period, I think Tour of Duty could serve as an excellent complement - providing additional layers of understanding about the relationships between a domain and its absent leaders & retainers, and about the role of sankin kotai in spreading culture around Japan.

It's going on my list. (Though when I'll get around to reading it....)
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My blog on Japanese art & history: http://chaari.wordpress.com

紫水晶殿 - The Amethyst Lord

[onnamusha]

I've just received this book in the mail and have gotten about 15 pages into it so far. I read your review on the Kanazawa book, lordameth, and, as I did, I realized that it probably would be well complemented by Tour of Duty, as Vaporis' introduction noted how hard it was to get a full complement of information out of any one domain's records and how his Tosa example blends in many figures from other records that can be assumed to be similar in Tosa. By the way, that was a great review on the Kanazawa book; I must say you know how to pick out and point out what even not-so-well informed folks like me would want to find in it. I am headed to read Obenjo's review of the book that awaits my attentions by the bedside this evening. Cheers! (scratch that: I just read the review (great review and amusing intro there, Obenjo!) and it sounds like I've got a real treat in store. The introduction alone promises great breadth of detail, and I hope to have it read in time for the interview, which I am also very much looking forward to. Cheers again, and it is off to read!

A sort of peripheral endnote: as I tear through a binge of watching "Fuurin Kazan" lately, I realize that the hostage system has a long history that didn't always turn out well for those who employed the system. Also, allegiances seemed to change with the winds; indeed, when I look at the idea of sankin kotai in this light, I realize that Vaporis' assertion that it is one of the single greatest achievements of the Tokugawa certainly has a lot of weight to it.

[Wave Tossed]

Thanks for the review. Sound very interesting. When I get a bit more money, I will definitely buy. The book is being offered by Amazon.com as well as some used-book sellers.
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"Walk the thousand mile road, step by step" -- Miyamoto Musashi

[Tatsunoshi]

Woot! It's back in stock on Amazon at the $34 price!
Of course, there's only one copy left in stock after I ordered mine...

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

I'm glad to hear that Amazon was able to get a few more new copies and sell them directly at the $34 price.

In the event that Amazon does run out of stock again and if there is no message saying more copies are on the way, you can order the book directly from the publisher, The University of Hawaii Press. Here is a link to the University of Hawaii Press' page for ordering Tour of Duty. Just be aware that the U of H price is $50.

And BTW-- the U of H Press has a great catalog of titles that made my mouth start to water!

Wave, Onna and Meth- Thanks for the positive feedback about the review. I think you will also definitely like the book.
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Heee heee! Shita iro! Shita iro! Here comes his lordship, Baka Tono!
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[Shisendo]

I just wish this book and the Kanazawa book had come out a couple years ago. Maybe I can carve out some time to read them this summer. Is there any specific mention about the Asano clan in the Vaporis book? I have some questions about the dates of their visits to Edo in the 1630s among other things. I realize that this a very narrow focus, but there's no harm in asking right?

[onnamusha]

[Tatsunoshi]

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[onnamusha]

[Shisendo]

[Shisendo]

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

Shisendo, the Asano were definitely participating in the Edo atendance and hostage system that existed before 1635. Basically, daimyo participated because they clearly understood the implied threat of what would happen if they didn't--regardless of whose side they were on at Sekigahara.
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Heee heee! Shita iro! Shita iro! Here comes his lordship, Baka Tono!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rekishinotabi

[lordameth]

I have just heard word that Tour of Duty will be coming out in paperback in December 2009, with a cover price of roughly $23.

Quite reasonable, I think; I look forward to getting a copy of this book.
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My blog on Japanese art & history: http://chaari.wordpress.com

紫水晶殿 - The Amethyst Lord

[kitsuno]

[owari no utsuke]

If that is the case, then it is on my wish list as well.
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You'll Never Walk Alone!

http://www.otsuke.blogspot.com

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

I received an email from Professor Vaporis this morning confirming that a softcover version of Tour of Duty will go on sale this December and will retail at a price of $23. I really can't recommend this book enough. It instantly became one of the most important English-language Edo period history books in my respectable-sized private collection. If you are interested in really understanding the underpinnings of Edo period culture, economy and politics, Tour of Duty is an absolute must-read. However, that being said, if you are new to the study of Japanese history and the Edo period, I'd recommend reading a few survey books first. ToD is most helpful to those who already have at least a basic understanding of the period.

You can pre-order Tour of Duty from the University of Hawaii Press by clicking on this link. Here's a partial review of the book, from the order page: “Vaporis has written a magnificent book on the sankin kotai, or alternate attendance system. . . . Long considered the central political control mechanism of the Tokugawa period, the system has received surprisingly little scholarly attention until now. Filling a major gap in the understanding of Japanese history, the author provides a detailed account of the mechanics of the system and demands placed on daimyo and retainers on tours of duty in Edo. Exploiting the latest archaeological and archival sources, Vaporis makes clear the economic burden of the system on the daimyo, as well as its role as an engine of cultural, intellectual, and material exchange, from the center in Edo and between regions. The author also provides intimate details of the lives of samurai, both on the road to and from Edo and while serving their time in Edo. For all interested in early modern history. . . . Highly recommended.” —Choice (July 2009)

I full-heartedly agree with that above review!!

For those of you who can't wait for Santa to deliver it in December, you can order a new hardcover copy from Amazon at the discounted price of $36.71, which is a good buy considering it originally sold for $50.00.
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Heee heee! Shita iro! Shita iro! Here comes his lordship, Baka Tono!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rekishinotabi

[Hiro Katsumoto]

Now this is a book I want. Thanks for the great review since I've always been curious about the samurai going to Edo then returning to their homes. It seems this book would also answer a lot of my questions as to what a samurai did when in Edo. I'm putting this book on my christmas list.
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I am Honored to meet you-Katsumoto; The Last Samurai.

[AJBryant]

Definitely must grab a copy of this book. I thought I *had* one, but it hasn't shown up in my packing, so it appears it's only been on my "must get" rather than "have gotten" list.

Sigh.

Memory like a frikkin' sieve.



Tony
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http://www.sengokudaimyo.com

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

All,

The US$23 paperback version of Tour of Duty is now available. Just one hitch-- it isn't showing up on Amazon.com. Professor Vaporis is trying to get this corrected and once this issue addressed, Kitsuno will add it to the SA's Amazon store. Please consider buying it through the SA, as 4% of whatever is sold there goes for paying for this site's maintenance and upkeep.

For those of you who just gotta have this "gotta have" book now, you can order it through the University of Hawaii Press's website here.
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Heee heee! Shita iro! Shita iro! Here comes his lordship, Baka Tono!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rekishinotabi

[Shisendo]