From sleepy fishing village to samurai capital to vibrant global metropolis, Eiko Maruko Siniawer takes readers through Tokyo's rich history, revealing four centuries of transformation deeply woven into its fabric. This accessible guide introduces a world of shoguns and Kabuki theater, riots and earthquakes, wartime devastation and reconstruction, booms and busts, bright lights and skyscrapers, all viewed through the lived experiences of those who have inhabited and shaped a city of distinctive neighborhoods and different personalities. Emphasizing the city's human heart, Siniawer conveys a vivid sense of time, culture, and place through ten moments that have shaped Tokyo's many lives.

‘This animated social and cultural depiction of Tokyo, from its shogunal and imperial pasts to its global cosmopolitan present, is the perfect companion for anyone exploring the city in person or from afar.’

Carol Gluck - Columbia University

‘This is a beautifully written, briskly paced introduction to the world's largest city. It illuminates the vibrant, diverse, and often surprising history of Tokyo, making cutting-edge scholarship uniquely accessible to general readers.’

Amy Stanley - Northwestern University

‘… traces Tokyo's development from its origin as a castle town to its existence today as a global metropolis, technologically advanced and culturally fun. For each era, Siniawer draws attention to how the city's inhabitants lived, providing finely detailed descriptions of their homes, clothing, food, recreation, and, for the past century, their aspirations to middle-class status. To create these finely grained pictures, Siniawer draws on a wealth of recent scholarship … Recommended.’

S. A. Hastings Source: Choice