"The end result is this detailed and scholarly work, which will remain seminal reading for years to come for anyone interested in understanding the demise of the Ainu and the concomitant rise to power of the Japanese in Hokkaido and the northern islands of Sakhalin and the Kurils." - The Daily Yomiuri "One of the book's great strengths is the ... Read moreauthor's attention to detail, grounded in a mastery of the relevant primary sources, some of them published, but many available only in manuscript form. The writing is a model of clarity and logical exposition, and the text is further enhanced by a large number of maps and illustrations showing different aspects of Ainu life. The book is highly informative and consistently interesting, and will be read with pleasure by all students of Japanese history." - Monumenta Nipponica "The book not only makes a significant contribution to the meager literature on the history of Ainu-Japanese relations and transformation of Ainu society, but also provides important information on... Japan's relations with the outside world. People interested in early state formation have much to gain from reading this book. But most of all, it is a delight for those interested in cultural creativity and the power of invented traditions." - Journal of Japanese Studies" Show Less