Gift-giving is a common practice in human societies and cultures, but Japan, in particular, has attracted attention from researchers as a society that has preserved gift-giving rituals well among developed countries. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, and at the same time, the gift-giving practices of this era have an extremely utilitarian nature, which is unparalleled globally. This book explores the mindset of medieval people who emphasized the balance of profit and loss, and who exchanged gifts throughout the year, unraveling the source of gift-giving, which continues to be associated with negative images such as obligation, empty formality, and bribery. "The Historical Study of Gift-Giving: Between Ritual and Economy" Eiji Sakurai Chuko Shinsho, 2011, First Edition *Slight bend at the top of the binding (Image 4) #EijiSakurai #Eiji_Sakurai #Book #History/JapaneseHistory