Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy: The Story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the Cross-Dressin

Description: Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy by Phyllis Birnbaum A sensational, myth-busting biography of a woman who thrived and fell upon the turmoil of her era. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Aisin Gioro Xianyu (1907-1948) was the fourteenth daughter of a Manchu prince and a legendary figure in Chinas bloody struggle with Japan. After the fall of the Manchu dynasty in 1912, Xianyus father gave his daughter to a Japanese friend who was sympathetic to his efforts to reclaim power. This man raised Xianyu, now known as Kawashima Yoshiko, to restore the Manchus to their former glory. Her fearsome dedication to this cause ultimately got her killed. Yoshiko had a fiery personality and loved the limelight. She shocked Japanese society by dressing in mens clothes and rose to prominence as Commander Jin, touted in Japans media as a new Joan of Arc. Boasting a short, handsome haircut and a genuine military uniform, Commander Jin was credited with many daring exploits, among them riding horseback as leader of her own army during the Japanese occupation of China. While trying to promote the Manchus, Yoshiko supported the puppet Manchu state established by the Japanese in 1932-one reason she was executed for treason after Japans 1945 defeat.The truth of Yoshikos life is still a source of contention between China and Japan: some believe she was exploited by powerful men, others claim she relished her role as political provocateur. China holds her responsible for unspeakable crimes, while Japan has forgiven her transgressions. This biography presents the richest and most accurate portrait to date of the controversial princess spy, recognizing her truly novel role in conflicts that transformed East Asia. Author Biography Phyllis Birnbaum is a novelist, biographer, journalist, and translator. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, Times Literary Supplement, and other publications. Her books include Modern Girls, Shining Stars, the Skies of Tokyo: Five Japanese Women and a biography, Glory in a Line: A Life of Foujita-the Artist Caught Between East and West. She recently edited an English translation of Clouds Above the Hill: A Historical Novel of the Russo-Japanese War. She lives outside of Boston. Table of Contents Main Characters Chronology A Note on the Text 1. Born to Chaos 2. Little Sister 3. Royalty in Exile 4. Continental Adventurer 5. A New Life in Japan 6. Manchu Prince, Japanese Wife 7. School Days 8. The Beauty in Mens Clothing 9. Extreme Measures 10. Repercussions 11. On Her Own 12. Poisonous Devils Brew 13. Advance Into Manchuria 14. An Emperor in Flux 15. The Reluctant Empress 16. Powerful Connections 17. Woman of Influence 18. A Growing Awareness 19. Commander Jin 20. Starting Over in Manchukuo 21. In the Bright Light 22. Wild Child 23. A Daughter Looks Back 24. China Nights 25. Emergency Help 26. An Old Love 27. Adrift in Fukuoka 28. Hopeful to the End 29. Narrow Escapes 30. Postwar Justice 31. Go with a Smile Notes Acknowledgments Index Review Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy is an even-handed biographical study of a fascinating woman who may have been a secret agent during the Pacific War. Phyllis Birnbaum covers Kawashima Yoshikos background as a Manchu princess and her further adventures after being adopted in Japan in detail, using virtually every primary source available, as well as novels based on her life. -- Janine Beichman, Daito Bunka University, Tokyo Richly illustrated with rare photos, and enlivened by numerous interviews, Phyllis Birnbaums book is a balanced, well-written biography of one of the most notorious figures to emerge in the early twentieth-century contest for empire in northeast Asia. Anyone interested in the personal dimension of Sino-Japanese relations during the period of their most problematic intensity will find much profit in reading these stories of the life of Kawashima Yoshiko, many told through the memories of the men and women who loved her and hated her, often at the same time. -- Mark C. Elliott, Harvard University Birnbaum presents a colorful portrait of the controversial figure as she participated in conflicts that transformed East Asia. Publishers Weekly Birnbaum does her utmost to unravel the threads that make up Yoshikos legacy... in this thoughtful biography of a complicated woman. Library Journal Phyllis Birnbaums book attempts to cut through the myths surrounding Kawashima, and is an excellent overview of her life. Japan Times [Yoshiko] emerges as a woman supremely in command of her own fiction, even to the last. New York Times Book Review Japanese expert Birnbaum brings both [Yoshikos] life and myth to an English-speaking or Western audience. She skilfully weaves her way through the complex political situation in pre-war China and gives an evocative account of the chaos of multinational Shanghai. Sensibly, the author keeps her controversial subject at arms length, steers clear of concurring with sensationalist claims about her exploits, and expresses a balanced take on most aspects of Yoshikos life. Asian Review of Books Even-handed and fair. Japan News Named one of the 15 best books of the year by the Women in the World Blog at the New York Times Women in the World Blog, New York Times A fascinating tale of a woman who played a prominent role in the muddled conflicts in East Asia before and during the Pacific War... The writing here is clear and the research is superb. Asian Ethnology Review Quote [Yoshiko] emerges as a woman supremely in command of her own fiction, even to the last. Promotional "Headline" Kawashima Yoshiko (born Aisin Gioro Xianyu, 1907-1948) was the daughter of a Manchu prince. After the fall of the Manchu dynasty, she was raised by a Japanese friend of her father to restore the Manchus to their former glory. Her dedication to this cause, including supporting the puppet state established by the Japanese in 1932, ultimately got her executed for treason after Japans defeat. The truth of Yoshikos life is still a source of contention between China and Japan. This biography presents the richest and most accurate portrait to date of the controversial princess spy. Details ISBN0231152191 Author Phyllis Birnbaum Pages 272 Publisher Columbia University Press Year 2017 ISBN-10 0231152191 ISBN-13 9780231152198 Format Paperback Imprint Columbia University Press Subtitle The Story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the Cross-Dressing Spy Who Commanded Her Own Army Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Illustrations 22 illustrations DEWEY 951.8042 Series Asia Perspectives: History, Society, And Culture Publication Date 2017-01-24 Language English Translated from English Short Title Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy Audience Professional and Scholarly UK Release Date 2017-01-24 NZ Release Date 2017-01-24 US Release Date 2017-01-24 AU Release Date 2017-01-23 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:161838947;

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