Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction to the history of Japan / Marius B. Jansen -- Introduction to the art of Japan / Nagatake Asano -- Archaic period (before 552) the beginning -- Asuka period (552-710) ancient Japan -- Nara period (710-794) the golden age of Buddhism -- Heian period (794-1185) emerging aristocracy -- Kamakura period (1185-1333) the seeds of feudalism -- Muromachi period (1333-1568) the dual dynasties -- Momoyama period (1568-1600) the country united -- Edo-Tokugawa period (1600-1853) isolation and progress -- Transition period (1853-1868) time of transition -- Meiji period (1868-1912) the new Japan -- The works of art -- Bibliography.