About the Author

Constantine Nomikos Vaporis is professor of history at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Reviews

Vaporis has written a magnificent book on the sankin kotai, or alternate attendance system. . . . Long considered the central political control mechanism of the Tokugawa period, the system has received surprisingly little scholarly attention until now. Filling a major gap in the understanding of Japanese history, the author provides a detailed account of the mechanics of the system and demands placed on daimyo and retainers on tours of duty in Edo. Exploiting the latest archaeological and archival sources, Vaporis makes clear the economic burden of the system on the daimyo, as well as its role as an engine of cultural, intellectual, and material exchange, from the center in Edo and between regions. The author also provides intimate details of the lives of samurai, both on the road to and from Edo and while serving their time in Edo. For all interested in early modern history. . . . Highly recommended.-- "Choice"

One of the important strengths of this book lies in its very rich detail. At the institutional level, this encompasses changes in the legal structure within which daimyo and their retainers operated; at the personal, individual level, it provides readers with a strong sense of the daily life of retainers in Edo and their living circumstances. Quite apart from its significant scholarly merits, this work provides many, many engaging episodes with which to enliven classroom presentations.-- "American Historical Review"

This excellent book, a model of what can be achieved through sustained scholarly engagement with an important topic, will be an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in Tokugawa Japan and its legacies for the modern era.-- "Japanese Studies"

Tour of Duty brings the daimyo processions back to life. . . . Vaporis has been exploring the subject of alternate attendance over a number of years and is able to present a wealth of evidence to support his argument. It presents a captivating interplay between human actions and preoccupations and their wider historical context.-- "Monumenta Nipponica"