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- Lafcadio Hearn
- Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation
Chapters
30 total[Transcriber's Note: Page numbers are retained in square brackets.]
CHAPTER PAGE - I. DIFFICULTIES…………………….1 - II. STRANGENESS AND CHARM…………….5 - III. THE ANCIENT CULT………………..21 - IV. THE RELIGION OF THE HOME…………33 - V. THE JAPANESE FAMILY……………..55 - VI. THE COMMUNAL CULT……………….81 - VII. DEVELOPMENTS OF SHINTO………….107 - VIII. WORSHIP AND PURIFICATION………..133 - IX. THE RULE OF THE DEAD……………157 - X. THE INTRODUCTION OF BUDDHISM…….183 - XI. THE HIGHER BUDDHISM…………….207 - XII. THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION…………229 - XIII. THE RISE OF THE MILITARY POWER…..259 - XIV. THE RELIGION OF LOYALTY…………283 - XV. THE JESUIT PERIL……………….303 - XVI. FEUDAL INTEGRATION……………..343 - XVII. THE SHINTO REVIVAL……………..367 - XVIII. SURVIVALS……………………..381 - XIX. MODERN RESTRAINTS………………395 - XX. OFFICIAL EDUCATION……………..419 - XXI. INDUSTRIAL DANGER………………443 - XXII. REFLECTIONS……………………457 - APPENDIX………………………481 - BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES…………..487 - INDEX…………………………489
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
Description
In this thoughtful exploration, the author tackles the formidable task of peeling back the layers that conceal everyday Japanese life. By arguing that true understanding of a nation’s art, industry, and social habits begins with its religious foundations, the work promises a fresh lens for listeners eager to move beyond surface impressions. The introduction sets a scholarly yet accessible tone, inviting curiosity about the hidden forces that shape customs, family bonds, and creative expression.
The book’s extensive structure guides the audience through topics such as ancient cults, the evolution of Shinto, the rise of Buddhism, and the intricate web of communal and familial rituals. Each chapter builds a picture of how belief systems have directed everything from lacquered pottery to early industrial practices, offering a rare synthesis of history, sociology, and aesthetics. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation of the subtle, often overlooked currents that continue to influence Japan’s modern identity.
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Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (705K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
About the author
Lafcadio Hearn
1850–1904
A globe-crossing writer who helped introduce Japan’s stories, folklore, and everyday life to Western readers, he is still best loved for the eerie beauty of Kwaidan and other ghostly tales. His life moved through Greece, Ireland, the United States, the Caribbean, and finally Japan, giving his work a rare mix of curiosity and atmosphere.
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