and far more than half of its historical experience, for these are the oldest
living civilized traditions." Prior to the modern era, with limited interaction
and mutual influence between the East and the West, Asian civilizations
developed largely independent from the West. In modern times, however,
Asia and the West have come not only into close contact but also into fre-
quent conflict: The result has been one of the most solemn and stirring
dramas in world history. Today, integration and compromise are the trend
in coping with cultural differences. The West--with some notable excep-
tions--has started to see Asian traditions, not as something to fear, but as
something to be understood, appreciated, and even cherished. After all, Asian
traditions are an indispensable part of the human legacy, a matter of global
"common wealth" that few of us can afford to ignore.

As the result of Asia's enormous economic development since World War
II, we can no longer neglect the study of this vibrant region. Japan's "eco-
nomic miracle" of postwar development is no longer unique, but in various
degrees has been matched by the booming economy of many other Asian
countries and regions. The rise of the four "mini dragons" ( South Korea,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) suggests that there may be a common
Asian pattern of development. At the same time, each economy in Asia has
followed its own particular trajectory. Clearly, China is the next giant on the
scene. Sweeping changes in China in the last two decades have already dra-
matically altered the world's economic map. Furthermore, growth has also
been dramatic in much of Southeast Asia. Today war-devastated Vietnam
shows great enthusiasm for joining the "club" of nations engaged in the world
economy. And in South Asia, India, the world's largest democracy, is redis-
covering its role as a champion of market capitalism. The economic devel-
opment of Asia presents a challenge to Americans but also provides them
with unprecedented opportunities. It is largely against this background that
more and more people in the United States, in particular among the younger
generation, have started to pursue careers dealing with Asia.

This series is designed to meet the need for knowledge of Asia among
students and the general public. Each book is written in an accessible and
lively style by an expert (or experts) in the field of Asian studies. Each book
focuses on the culture and customs of a country or region. Each volume starts
with an introduction to the land and people of a nation or region and includes
a brief history and an overview of the economy. This is followed by chapters
dealing with a variety of topics that piece together a cultural panorama, such
as thought, religion, ethics, literature and art, architecture and housing, cui-
sine, traditional dress, gender, courtship and marriage, festivals and leisure
activities, music and dance, and social customs and lifestyle. In this series,

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