Any Japanese History Experts?

I originally posted this in the Story Research forum but didn't get any response.... So perhaps here I'll have better luck!

Part of my new novel takes place during the very early Muromachi period (around 1400 or so). I've been trying to find info on the culture, specifically that of the normal person, i.e. a farmer or an artisan. I haven't been able to find much. I have been able to find that because of the general upheaval around the country that many smaller villages essentially "ruled" themselves, complete with a village head, who would effectively rule over the village in the ruling lord's stead. Though a commoner, he would be considered the "wealthy" man of the village because of the responsibility he had. Not sure how true this is, but it's what I've been able to find so far.

Also, I'm having an incredibly difficult time looking for names for the common folk. The only names I can find are modern ones and some names of the shugo and prominent samurai of the time. I know that a commoner would NOT have a surname, as those only came during the Meiji era, so I'm trying to just find good names for an average everyday person, both men and women. The names for women are even harder to find; most names I've found end in the -ko suffix, although I've read that's more modern (like late Edo/early Meiji). I'm about to choose modern names to just be done with it!

Are there any good books or websites anyone may be able to suggest about the culture and names of this time period? Thanks!

Saint Fool said:

I've just started researching 1930s-40s Japan myself. My suggestion would be to search on Amazon using Muromachi and Japanese history. Then see if you can get the books through interlibrary loan. (Your local reference librarian will be able to help you with resources that the library may have.) You might also query Asian Studies programs at various universities.

Good luck with your research.

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Already looked up books on Amazon. I found one through interlibrary loan and the first time I reserved it, it was cancelled for some unknown reason. I tried again and supposedly it's been shipped but it's not at my library just yet.

After I do a bit more individual research, I do plan on contacting an Asian Studies department about the time period (I want to look like I've done a little research and not look like a complete idiot, lol). I'm also talking with a friend of mine who has a degree in Japanese History and Japanese Language. She's got a wealth of info

pdr said:

read Japanese do you?

It was such a turbulent time I suggest it might be easier to research if you chose one area, or start with one of the warring lords, his name would give you something to chase up.

You might try using today's prefecture names and google their museums. Some have a limited amount of English language info on their sites. Shikoku and Shizouka might be good. I remember English info in their museums.

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Nope, don't read Japanese. Would like to learn someday...

I've also done a bit of research on what the prefectures were once named and who some of the ruling lords were. I'm only going to have 8-10 chapters (if that) during this period and my characters are just simple farmers and a "village head" family in a remote village, so much of the turbulency will only be touched on. Still I need to learn a lot so I have a lot to choose from.

I don't know why I always choose such a difficult time and place to find info. You'd think I'd come up with a story that's easier to research. .