Skilled, ambitious, mightily impressive … Harding turns out to be as adept at describing the country’s artistic development as he is at unpicking its brutal politics. Another of his talents is a sharp eye for the telling quote that makes these distant presences tangible … a marvellous read, full of startling information.

Splendid … It’s an effective way of telling an unfamiliar story, leavening the course of social change with plenty of enjoyable individual details.

An enjoyable romp through the ages across the Japanese archipelago … Harding is in his element … A tour de force, this imaginative book may well be the “ideal introduction” for anyone new to Japan … Vividly written, there are certainly some interesting surprises to savour along the way.

A fresh and fascinating perspective … By shifting focus without losing the renowned figures or the sweeping trends but rather leavening them with formerly unsung individuals, Harding is able to say something new about the history of Japan and reinvigorate old stories. As such, this book can act as a primer for the archipelago’s long and complex story, or as a refreshing take on familiar periods for those already well-versed in the emperors, shoguns and battlefields.

The people included in this look at the lives of 20 of Japan’s most notable characters are not, it’s fair to say, household names, but historian and broadcaster Christopher Harding brings them to life with warmth and insight. Together, they offer a great primer to the nation’s expansive, dynamic story.