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The nation state as we know it is a mere four or five hundred years old. Remarkably, a central government with vast territorial control emerged in Japan at around the same time as it did in Europe, through the process of mobilizing fiscal resources and manpower for bloody wars between the 16th and 17th centuries. This book, which brings Japan's case into conversation with the history of state building in Europe, points to similar factors that were present in both places: population growth eroded clientelistic relationships between farmers and estate holders, creating conditions for intense competition over territory; and in the ensuing instability and violence, farmers were driven to make Hobbesian bargains of taxes in exchange for physical security.

THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY, a registered charity, has for its object the advancement of knowledge and education, particularly in relation to the understanding of world history. This it does by the publication of scholarly editions of primary sources on the 'Voyages and Travels' undertaken by individuals from many parts of the globe. These include early accounts dealing with the geography, ethnology and natural history of the regions visited. Such texts, many previously available only in manuscript or in unedited prints in other languages, are the essential records of the initial stages of inter-continental and inter-cultural encounter. Established in 1846, the Society has to date published over 350 volumes. All editions are published in English. Although a substantial number of the Society's past editions relate to British ventures, with documentary sources in English, the majority concern non-British enterprises and are based on texts in languages other than English. Material originally written in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French or Dutch has regularly appeared, material in Russian, Greek, Latin, Ethiopic, Chinese, Persian or Arabic occasionally. All editions contain scholarly annotation. This, together with an introduction, is designed with two aims in mind. The first is to give both the general reader and the student a degree of assistance in the elucidation of the material presented. The second is to provide guidance on the relevance of the episodes described, within the context of global development and world history. Volumes are normally furnished with maps and contemporary illustrations, often generously. Volumes are produced in a standard binding and are widely acknowledged to achieve a high standard of typographic presentation, matching their scholarship. An annotated listing of all The Hakluyt Society's publications 1847-1995 is included in the anniversary volume, Compassing the Vaste Globe of the Earth, issued in 1996. This list is also available on the Society's website at www.hakluyt.com Membership of The Hakluyt Society is open to all. Members are entitled to: Receive all volumes issued by the Society (other than those of the Extra Series) during the period of their membership. Such volumes are distributed (free and post free) to members.Purchase earlier volumes (if still in print) and additional copies of current volumes at a substantial reduction from the prices at which the Society's publications are sold to the public.Receive the Information and Publications pamphlet, The Hakluyt Society Newsletter, the Annual Report and the annual Hakluyt Lecture.Attend, and vote at, the Annual General Meeting held in London. For those wishing to join the Society an application form, and further details of the Society and its past and current publications, are available on the Society's website at www.hakluyt.com, or by post from the Society's postal address: The Hakluyt Society, c/o Map Library, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB. Enquiries may also be sent by e-mail to: office@hakluyt.com Members of The Hakluyt Society wishing to purchase any of the available volumes at the special price for members may do so only by contacting the Administrator at the address above.