Fuji A Mountain in the Making
“Fuji: A Mountain in the Making” by Andrew W. Bernstein, published by Princeton University Press on September 23, 2025, is a comprehensive exploration of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. This 352-page work delves into the mountain’s history, revealing a narrative that spans from the Ice Age to the present day. Bernstein examines the geological origins of Fuji, its role as a symbol of national unity, and the various conflicts and upheavals that have shaped its identity over the centuries.
Readers will find a detailed account of Mount Fuji’s evolution, including its violent eruptions and its significance in Japanese religion and spirituality. The book also addresses the mountain’s dual nature as both a revered site and a location of industrial activity, prompting reflections on humanity’s relationship with nature. Beautifully illustrated, this edition presents a rich portrait of a landscape that continues to inspire and challenge, making it a significant addition to discussions on ecology and the cultural history of Japan.
Official synopsis Publisher
A panoramic biography of Japan’s iconic mountain from the Ice Age to the present
Mount Fuji is everywhere recognized as a wonder of nature and enduring symbol of Japan. Yet behind the picture-postcard image is a history filled with conflict and upheaval. Violent eruptions across the centuries wrought havoc and instilled fear. Long an object of worship, Fuji has been inhabited by deities that changed radically over time. It has been both a totem of national unity and a flashpoint for economic and political disputes. And while its soaring majesty has inspired countless works of literature and art, the foot of the mountain is home to military training grounds and polluting industries. Tracing the history of Fuji from its geological origins in the remote past to its recent inscription as a World Heritage Site, Andrew Bernstein explores these and other contradictions in the story of the mountain, inviting us to reflect on the relationships we share with the nonhuman world and one another.
Beautifully illustrated, Fuji presents a rich portrait of one of the world’s most celebrated sites, revealing a mountain forever in the making and offering a meditation on the ability of landscape both to challenge and inspire.
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