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tta2013 OP t1_japtxyu wrote

Heinrich Schliemann, whose infamous for his reckless excavation of Troy, spent time in Japan in 1865. His diary has been recently published, which provides insight into European-Japan relations during the Bakumatsu period (end of the Edo Period).

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Mizral t1_jbfz9cs wrote

Yeah Schliemann was the last of the incredibly old school archaeologist that believed in just blasting away with TNT until he found cool stuff. Knowing what we know now, most people think he was a total crazy nut but at the time it didn't seem so weird I guess. Amazing character of history.

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Sea-of-Serenity t1_jaqnw71 wrote

That's really interesting! At the same time I wonder how much of it is true, because Schliemann applied "truth" very liberally and chose rather what made him look better - even in his own diaries if we take the excavations and "Priam's treasure" as an example. So probably a good read but better taken with a grain of salt.

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Steady1 t1_jatir2o wrote

How is this a rare look into life in Tokyo during that period? Is there a lack of Japanese sources during that time?

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