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Research Guide for
Asian Studies 211: Introduction to Japan

http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/asia211.html

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries Handbooks and Guides Bibliographies Full-Text Resources
Books Periodical Indexes Citing Sources Research Help Online Reference Help in Person

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Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

• Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan. 9 vols. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1983. Plus suppl. 1986.
  (Uris Ref DS 805 K76+; also Kroch Asia Ref)

  Represents a ten-year effort by Japanese and foreign scholars to compile the "first comprehensive encyclopedia" about Japan in English. Over 9,000 entries (the vast majority under 500 words) are contained in this eight-volume encyclopedia. A one-volume index completes the set. Coverage includes philosophy, history, science, politics, economics, literature and the arts, food and clothing from both a historical and a contemporary perspective. Authors were asked to introduce the topic at a level appropriate to high school students with no familiarity with the subject and to expand to a level for advanced students. A letter-by-letter system of alphabetization is used and the romanization system is Hepburn or Standard. Although bibliographies are appended to most of the longer articles, the encyclopedia would have been more useful with additional English citations (e.g. in the entry "advertising", the bibliography simply lists the American periodical Advertising Age along with three Japanese titles). The encyclopedia is illustrated with black and white photos, charts and maps. It should be the single most useful source on Japan for the non-Japanese reader.

• Ziring, Lawrence and C. I. Eugene Kim. The Asian Political Dictionary. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 1985.
  (Kroch Asia Ref DS 31 Z81)

  Part of the Clio Dictionaries in Political Science series, it "includes twenty-seven countries and territories, spreading from South, to Southeast, to East Asia; from India and Pakistan through Indonesia, northward to China and Japan." (Preface) Several island nations in the Indian Ocean are also included. The volume consists of separate chapters with entries arranged alphabetically. The chapters range from "Political Geography," "Political Culture and Ideology," and "Political Parties and Movements" to "International Relations and Conflict." The work includes a "Guide to Countries," a comprehensive index, and several maps and tables. Where appropriate, cross-references are provided from the individual entries.

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Handbooks and Guides

• De Mente, Boye. The Whole Japan Book. Phoenix: Phoenix Books/Publishers, 1983.
  (Kroch Asia Ref DS 805 D27+)

  Designed as an introduction to Japan, this book explains the significance of the major social, institutional, and literary aspects of Japanese culture. Dictionary-style articles on each topic range from a few paragraphs to several pages in length.

• The Far East and Australasia. London: Europa, 1969- .
  (Olin Ref +DS 4 F21)

  Political events and economic developments of the past year are covered for East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia and New Zealand in Part I of this volume. Part II provides a directory of international and regional organizations active in Asia and the Pacific. Alphabetically arranged, Part III contains reports on the countries in this region. These reports describe the current state of a country's constitution, and its political, law enforcement, mass media, trade and industry, tourist, and transportation systems. Statistical tables are included for each country.

• Hall, John W. ed, et al. The Cambridge History of Japan. New York: Cambridge UP, 1988-
  (Uris Stacks DS 835 C17, also Kroch Asia)

  The standard scholarly survey of Japanese history.

• Powers, Richard Gid, and Hidetoshi Kato. Handbook of Japanese Popular Culture. New York: Greenwood, 1989.
  (Uris Ref DS 822.5 H23, also Kroch Asia)

  This handbook provides a convenient and efficient guide to the prevalent ways of life, recreations, and artistic creations of contemporary Japan (Introduction). Essays dealing with topics such as sports and television provide a survey of the historical development of the topic, followed by a guide to the research collections and reference works which should be consulted for deeper knowledge of the subject.

• Snyder, Louis L. Louis L. Snyder's Historical Guide to World War II. Westport: Greenwood, 1982.
  (Uris Ref D 740 S99; also Olin)

  This historical guide is a compendium of facts about World War II with an emphasis "on non-military aspects of the war, including economic, political, social, cultural, and psychological phases." (Preface) Entries include biographies of individuals, descriptions of weapons, and identifications of codes and secret names; many have individual bibliographies. Includes a chronology of the war, a brief bibliography of basic books, and an index. This title is one of several encyclopedias on WWII in the Uris reference room.

• Taylor, Robert H. Asia and the Pacific. 2 vol. New York: Facts on File, 1990.
  (Uris Ref DS 5 A82 1990, also Kroch Asia)

  The first volume of this two-volume handbook provides basic information, such as population, geography, recent history, and the economy, for each of the Asian countries, excluding the Middle Eastern nations. It also includes Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific island nations. This basic information is followed by longer, signed essays on each country. Volume Two focuses on the relationship between Asia and the rest of the world. It is comprised of essays dealing with history, political affairs, economic affairs, and social affairs. The best guide to the scope of this reference book is the table of contents. Includes biographies and an index.

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Bibliographies

• Bibliography of Asian Studies. Ann Arbor: Association of Asian Studies, l947- .
  (Bear Access -- Library Gateway, also Kroch Asia Ref +Z 3001 F2)

  An annual bibliography listing Western language books, pamphlets and periodical articles on all aspects of life and culture in Asia (including both East and South Asia). The online version begins coverage in 1971. It can be searched by keyword or browsed by subject or country. The printed volumes are arranged first by geographic area (e.g. INDIA, JAPAN), then by broad subject area (e.g. ANTHROPOLOGY, RELIGION) and further by narrow subject heading (e.g. Women, Youth). Each volume contains a listing of periodicals indexed and their abbreviations, a classified listing of books analyzed and finally, an index to the authors of both books and articles. A major resource, its main weakness is delay in publication--the l978 volume was published at the end of l98l.

• Dower, John W. Japanese History & Culture from Ancient to Modern Times: Seven Basic Bibliographies. New York: Markus Weiner, 1986.
  (Kroch Asia Ref Z 3306 D74 1986)

  The seven bibliographies mentioned in the title include: 1) Ancient and Medieval Japan, 2) Early Modern and Modern Japan, 3) Japan Abroad, 4) Japan and the Crisis in Asia, 5) Occupied Japan and the Cold War in Asia, 6) Bibliographies and Research Guides, 7) Journals and other serial publications. All sources listed are in English.\

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Full-Text Resources

• Keesing's Record of World Events. London: Longman, 1987- .
  (Olin Ref D 410 K26+)

  Covers important events in all countries, including texts of speeches and documents, obituaries, statistics, etc. Indexes appear every two weeks, quarterly, annually and biennially. Published in London, Keesing's is the British equivalent of Facts on File. Continues Keesing's Contemporary Archives which began publication in 1931.

• LEXIS/NEXIS Academic Universe [online database]. Dayton: Mead Data Central.
  (Bear Access -- Library Gateway)

  Created for lawyers, businesses, and broadcast and print news organizations. It contains the full text of a number of large- and medium-size newspapers; transcripts of broadcast news shows, interviews, and press conferences; local and state business publications; wire services; some popular magazines; and legal materials. Since it is updated daily, it is an excellent index to current topics and events.

• New York Times Index. New York: Times, 1851- .
  (Uris Ref AI 21 N56, 1960-1984)
  (Olin Ref 1851-)
  (ILR Ref 1933-)

  The semi-monthly subject index to the New York Times is cumulated annually. The Times Index is also useful in locating material in other newspapers because it gives a clue to the date of an event. Brief synopses of articles answer some questions without having to go to the paper itself. Citations include date, page, and column number. Its arrangement and subject headings are unique, and frequently difficult to use. You can use this index to follow the course of particular events through its pages. Narrow topics are often cross-referenced to an article under a broader topic.

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Books

CORNELL LIBRARY CATALOG

The Cornell Library Catalog currently includes all items from all Cornell libraries cataloged since 1973, many pre-1973 items, and items on order or in process. Included in the catalog are books, periodicals and government documents, as well as some other materials located in the libraries at Cornell. The catalog provides the call number, the name of the library, and the circulation status for most materials.

WHEN TO CHECK THE CARD CATALOG

When the book you want was published before 1973 and it's not in the Cornell Library Catalog, check the card catalog in Olin Library. This catalog contains cards for authors, subjects and titles filed in an alphabetical, word-by-word arrangement for books cataloged through December 1972. If you cannot locate the material you need, ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.

SUBJECT HEADINGS

For help in finding subject headings in these catalogs, be sure to consult the Library of Congress Subject Headings, located near the Bear Access workstations in most libraries.

RLIN

RLIN (the Research Libraries Information Network) is the computer network for members of the Research Libraries Group, a nationwide network of research libraries of which Cornell is a member. RLIN and the Eureka search software provide access to millions of records for books, serials, musical scores, maps, films and recordings. These records can be searched by words or phrases from titles, authors and subjects. RLIN/Eureka is available on any Bear Access workstation in Olin and Uris Libraries.

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Periodical Indexes

PERIODICAL ARTICLES

Periodical articles are an excellent source for detailed analysis of a topic. Articles in research journals will provide a very detailed account of a research project, study, or experiment. Use the Cornell Library Catalog to find which library owns the magazines, journals and newspapers you need. Many indexes are directly linked to holdings in the library catalog. When using unlinked indexes, search the Cornell Library Catalog (CU) by the title of the periodical (i.e. Time, Scientific American, etc.). If you have questions, ask at the Reference Desk.

PERIODICAL INDEXES

• America: History and Life. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 1964-.
  (Olin Ref + Z 1236 .A2 A5; also on CD-ROM from 1982)

  Indexes and abstracts national, regional, and international journals, book and media reviews, dissertations, and books covering American and Canadian history from pre-history to the present. Includes materials from archival, library, and historical society collections. This publication is an outgrowth of the earlier Historical Abstracts which attempted to cover U.S. history as well as world history. The print version and the online version on the Mann Gateway provide coverage from 1964 to the present; the CD-ROM from 1982 to the present.

• Historical Abstracts. Santa Barbara: Clio, 1971- .
  (Olin Ref Z6205 H67+; also on CD-ROM in Olin Ref)

  Indexes and abstracts national, regional, and international journals, book and media reviews, dissertations, and books covering all branches of world history from 1450 to the present. Includes materials from archival, library, and historical society collections. The volumes published prior to 1964 cover the world's periodicals on history in a classified arrangement with annual author, biographical, geographical, and subject indexes. Since 1964 the U.S. and Canada are no longer included (see America: History and Life). Now it selectively indexes approximately 2200 periodicals including transactions and proceedings. CD-ROM coverage begins with 1982. Print version in Uris was cancelled after 1990; Olin Ref has current print subscription and print volumes retrospectively to 1955.

• Humanities Index. New York: Wilson, 1974- .
  (Olin Ref AI 3 H91+)

  An author and subject index to over 400 English language scholarly journals. "Subject fields indexed include archaeology and classical studies, area studies, folklore, history, language and literature ...philosophy, religion, and theology." (Prefatory Note) Also includes an author index to book reviews which have appeared in journals indexed. It continues in part the Social Sciences and Humanities Index and the International Index.

• Periodical Abstracts (ProQuest Direct) [online database]. Ann Arbor: UMI, 1986- . Monthly.
  (Bear Access -- Library Gateway)

  Indexes all the magazines in Readers' Guide, most of the magazines and scholarly journals from Social Sciences Index, Humanities Index, and General Science Index, and more. About 1500 periodicals are indexed. Each citation has an abstract, a brief summary of the article. The full text of many articles is also available.

• Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature. New York: Wilson, 1900/04- .
  (Uris Ref AI 3 R28; also Olin Ref and ILR Ref)

  The Readers' Guide indexes approximately 160 current American popular and semi-popular periodicals. Author and subject entries are in one alphabet. Each entry gives the necessary information for finding the article: author, title, name of periodical (abbreviated), volume number, inclusive paging, and date. Maps, portraits, illustrations and bibliographies are noted. Published semi-monthly with cumulations annually. Book reviews appear at the end of each volume.

• Social Sciences Index . New York: Wilson, 1974- .
  (Olin Ref +AI 3 .S67)

  The Social Sciences Index is an author and subject index to more than 260 of the most important scholarly periodicals in the fields of anthropology, area studies, economics, environmental science, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, and related subjects. Lists book reviews at the back of each issue.

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Citing Sources

Give credit where credit is due. Cite your sources using the style listed below or another style approved by your instructor. Handouts summarizing the APA and MLA styles are available at Uris and Olin Reference.
• Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 4th ed. New York: MLA, 1995.
  (Uris Ref Z 253 M68 1995; also Olin)

  This handbook is based on the MLA Style Manual and is intended as an aid for college students writing research papers. Included here is information on selecting a topic, researching the topic, note taking, the writing of footnotes and bibliographies, as well as sample pages of a research paper. Extremely useful for the beginning researcher.

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Research Help Online

• The Reference Home Page at O*K*U Libraries

• Library Research at Cornell: A Hypertext Guide

• Library Vocabulary: Definitions of Library Terms

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Reference Help in Person

• Reference Desk Schedules in Olin and Uris Libraries

• Mann Library Hours

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Reference Home Page

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September 1998
Tony Cosgrave, ajc5@cornell.edu
Cornell University Library
URL: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/asia211.html

Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853
Information and reference: 607-255-4144, okuref@cornell.edu
Circulation: (Olin) 607-255-4245, (Uris) 607-255-3537, olincirc@cornell.edu