Project Gutenberg 2004-06-01 Public domain in the USA. 308 Hearn, Lafcadio 1850 1904 Koizumi, Yakumo Hearn, Patrick Lafcadio Xiaoquan, Bayun Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation Difficulties -- Strangeness and charm -- The ancient cult -- The religion of the home -- The Japanese family -- The communal cult -- Developments of Shinto -- Worship and purification -- The rule of the dead -- The introduction of Buddhism -- The higher Buddhism -- The social organization -- The rise of the military power -- The religion of loyalty -- The Jesuit peril -- Feudal integration -- The Shinto revival -- Survivals -- Modern restraints -- Official education -- Industrial danger -- Reflections. "Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation" by Lafcadio Hearn is an analytical essay written during the early 20th century. The text seeks to delve into the complexities and intricacies of Japanese culture, focusing on themes of religion, family, ancestor worship, and the psychological dimensions of Japanese life through a Western lens. Hearn aims to illuminate the historical, social, and ethical undercurrents that shape Japanese identity, emphasizing the challenges in fully understanding this rich culture from an outsider's perspective. The opening of the book establishes Hearn's concern that the true essence of Japanese life remains elusive, even to its own people. He highlights the significant impact of religion, particularly ancestor worship, on social and familial structures in Japan. Hearn reflects on his personal experiences and initial impressions of Japan, describing a peculiar and fascinating world filled with unfamiliar customs, practices, and a deep-rooted cultural heritage. He points out that understanding Japan requires not only surface knowledge but also an immersive engagement with its historical and spiritual dimensions. Through the exploration of these topics, Hearn sets the stage for a profound analysis of how Japan's unique character has evolved and how it continues to challenge interpretations from a Western viewpoint. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 45.2 (College-level). Difficult to read. en Japan -- Civilization DS Text Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches Category: Archaeology & Anthropology Category: Philosophy & Ethics Category: Religion/Spirituality 780453 2025-08-03T06:03:24.464217 text/html 780274 2025-01-09T21:14:30.132767 text/html 368165 2025-08-03T06:03:33.723193 application/epub+zip 378963 2025-08-03T06:03:27.787218 application/epub+zip 363050 2025-08-03T06:03:26.555222 application/epub+zip 652652 2025-08-03T06:03:38.556124 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 626722 2025-08-03T06:03:32.984184 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 532066 2022-09-03T09:37:02.607794 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 744881 2025-08-03T06:03:23.807218 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 739996 2020-12-29T07:44:24 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 18376 2025-08-03T06:03:38.679125 application/rdf+xml 15637 2025-08-03T06:03:27.072185 image/jpeg 3551 2025-08-03T06:03:26.832183 image/jpeg 275580 2020-12-29T07:44:24 application/octet-stream application/zip 367069 2025-08-03T06:03:24.522198 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia