{"title":"Simon Partner","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our curated collection of works by Simon Partner, a distinguished author renowned for his insightful contributions to the world of history and military literature. Simon Partner offers readers a unique lens into past events that have shaped our contemporary world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of his notable works, \u003cem\u003eThe Merchant's Tale\u003c\/em\u003e, provides a captivating exploration of historical narratives and commercial evolution. Through detailed storytelling and meticulous research, Partner brings to life the intricate dynamics of trade and its impact on societies throughout history. His storytelling is immersive, making complex historical themes accessible and engaging for all readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive into Simon Partner's works and experience history vividly reimagined through his expert narration. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a curious reader, you'll find his books both educational and rewarding. Enjoy the journey into the past with Simon Partner's articulate and thought-provoking writings.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-merchants-tale-by-simon-partner-9780231182928","title":"The Merchant's Tale","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn April 1859, at age fifty, Shinohara Chüemon left his old life behind. Chüemon, a well-off farmer in his home village, departed for the new port city of Yokohama, where he remained for the next fourteen years. There, as a merchant trading with foreigners in the aftermath of Japan's 1853 \"opening\" to the West, he witnessed the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate, the civil war that followed, and the Meiji Restoration's reforms. \u003cem\u003eThe Merchant's Tale\u003c\/em\u003e looks through Chüemon's eyes at the upheavals of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a narrative history rich in colourful detail, Simon Partner uses the story of an ordinary merchant farmer and its Yokohama setting as a vantage point onto sweeping social transformation and its unwitting agents. Chüemon, like most newcomers to Yokohama, came in search of economic opportunity. His story sheds light on vital issues in Japan's modern history, including the legacies of the Meiji Restoration; the East Asian treaty port system; and the importance of everyday life—food, clothing, medicine, and hygiene—for national identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCentred on an individual, \u003cem\u003eThe Merchant's Tale\u003c\/em\u003e is also the story of a place. Created under pressure from aggressive foreign powers, Yokohama was the scene of gunboat diplomacy, a connection to global markets, the birthplace of new lifestyles, and the beachhead of Japan's modernization. Partner's history of a vibrant meeting place humanises the story of Japan's revolutionary 1860s and their profound consequences for Japanese society and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000795676908,"sku":"9780231182928","price":228.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7885983482270.jpg?v=1763305609"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/simon-partner.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}