British Engagement with Japan, 1854-1922: The Origins and Course of an Unlikely Alliance

This book explores the unlikely alliance between Britain and Japan from 1902 to 1922, examining cultural factors, royal diplomacy, and British attitudes towards race and European superiority. It provides a major reassessment of this important subject.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book, penned by a renowned expert on Anglo-Japanese relations, delves into the intriguing circumstances that brought about the unlikely alliance between Britain, the dominant world power of its time, and Japan, a non-European, Asian nation that had recently emerged from self-imposed isolation. Through extensive original research, the book goes beyond existing accounts that solely focus on high politics, strategy, and mere assertions about the supposed similarities between the two countries as island empires. It sheds light on cultural factors, particularly the portrayal of Japan in Britain and the ambivalent British attitudes towards race and supposed European superiority, which were eventually overcome but remained challenges. The book meticulously charts the evolution of the relationship as events unfolded, including Japan's wars against China and Russia. Additionally, it explores royal diplomacy, where the Japanese Court was eventually treated as a respected equal. Overall, this book offers a comprehensive reassessment of this significant subject, providing a fresh perspective on the intricate dynamics that shaped this remarkable alliance.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367622299