The Routledge Companion to East Asian Historiography

The Routledge Companion to East Asian Historiography offers a comprehensive exploration of the rich and dynamic traditions of historical writing in East Asia, tracing their evolution across two millennia. Rooted in the influential Chinese historiographical tradition and enriched by the distinctive contributions of Korean and Japanese scholars, the book examines how these practices have adapted to cultural, political, and intellectual shifts.The volume’s four thematic sections explore the origins and evolution of historical writing, modernity’s transformative impact, and the diverse methodologies shaping contemporary scholarship. Key topics include the establishment of official historiography in imperial China, the innovative practices of the Song dynasty, and the influence of Western ideas and Marxist frameworks from the twentieth century. Emerging areas, such as social, environmental, gender, and global history, are examined, alongside comparative studies bridging East Asian and Western traditions. From ancient chronicles to modern interpretations shaped by nationalism, Marxism, scientism, and globalization, the volume highlights the interplay between tradition and innovation that defines East Asian historical culture.As the first of its kind, this companion serves as both an essential textbook and a scholarly reference for students and researchers interested in East Asian history, global historiography, social history, intellectual history, and postmodernism.

About the Author

Q. Edward Wang is inaugural Eminent Professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Rowan University and Editor of Chinese Studies in History . He has published widely in both English and Chinese on comparative historiography, global history, and Asian cultural and intellectual history. Amongst his English publications are: A Global History of Modern Historiography , Chopsticks: A Cultural and Culinary History , Historiography: Critical Readings (four volumes), and Western Historiography in Asia: Circulation, Critique and Comparison .