I've been reading several books of travel in recent times, which were recorded by foreign travellers in 1800-1900. Those books describe ordinary people's lives. Their lives are really interesting. What were their food, clothes, transportation and houses like? The history which I'd learnt is written from the viewpoint of rulers. Lots of famous people and incidents are the main characters in the history which I know. However, these notes of travel are written by many travellers and tell me how the ordinary Japanese people spent their lives. Naturally the writers have their own characters, likes and dislikes. They might have changed various things, but if you read several books, you'll know the facts.
"Unbeaten Tracks in Japan" by Isabella L. Bird was really good. She recorded both good and bad, or convenient and inconvenient things of Japan. I got lots of new information from it.
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