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The book may have numerous typos or missing text. It is not illustrated or indexed. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website. You can also preview the book there.Purchasers are also entitled to a trial membership in the publisher's book club where they can select from more than a million books for free.Volume: 16 Original Publisher: Houghton Mifflin company Publication date: 1922Subjects: Biography ... Read more

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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free.This is an OCR edition with typos.Excerpt from book:INDEX Accent, ia connection with rhyme. 208, 209. Ainu, the religion of, 25. Akasaka, 328. Akizuki of Aidzu, Professor of Chi- nese, birthday festival of, 73, 88, 89; a visit from, 258; a type of the ideal old Samurai, 315. Aldrich, Thomas Bailey. 165,391, 395. 396. Amamura, Japanese village, 416. Amenomori, Nobushige, 384. American, magazines, 34; physiog- nomy, 46. Amiel, Henri Frederic, 72. Anarchists, 372. Ancestral, memories, inheritance of, 213; tendencies, influence of, 221, 222; tendencies, genius explained by. 256; ghosts, 267. Andersen, Hans Christian, 201. Anderson, William, 156. Animals, souls of, 338, 429-431. Anstey, V., pseud. See Guthrie. Archery, Japanese, 304, 305, 337,339. Architecture, Gothic, Hearn on, xxvii; Gothic and Greek. 24; in Italy, 160; at open ports, 402. Arnold, Sir Edwin, 110; his Japanese drama, 422; address of, to the La- dies' Educational Association, 424. Arnold, Matthew, his criticism of Wordsworth, 218. Arrows of prayers, 13. Art, Japanese, snow in. 56; idealism in, 109,110; Japanese, old and new, 118. 119; Eastern and Western, some peculiarities in, explained by sexual idea, 122; Japanese, con- ' trast presented in, 217; Japanese and Greek, anatomy plays no part in, 228, 229; of the Latins, as illus- trated by Lpti. 393. Artist, the, his duty to extract the gold from the ore, xlvii. Artistic sensitiveness conjoined with ferocity. 289-291. Asakichi, Yasukochi, student. 310, 315-318, 326. Aston. William George, 358. Atheists, 330. Atlantic Monthly, editor of, condemns use of Japanese words, 105; a criti- cism in, 160; articles in, 293, 330; the pay given by, ... ... Read more

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Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), also known as Koizumi Yakumo after gaining Japanese citizenship, was an author, best known for his books about Japan. He is especially well-known for his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. Hearn was born in Lefkada, one of the Greek Ionian Islands. He was the son of Surgeon-major Charles Hearn (of King's County, Ireland) and Rosa Antonia Kassimati, who had been born on Kythera, another of the Ionian Islands. In 1890, Hearn went to Japan with a commission as a newspaper correspondent, which was quickly broken off. It was in Japan, however, that he found his home and his greatest inspiration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great on many levels
In a nutshell, he shows how ancient Japanese society grew out of a vast network of family cults based on ancestor worship. Each family had a duty to keep the dead ancestors satisfied (or at least not unhappy), and, for the most part, this meant keeping family behavior in line with custom.There was a very fine line between custom and morality, and the immoral individual was one who broke with custom. No individual was free to break custom because, in doing so, he endangered the prosperity of the family.

Later incursions of Buddhism and Confucianism did little to alter the core family-cult structure underlying the society. In my opinion, it is still largely in tact today, though some would likely disagree.

An insightful history of Japanese religiosity, up Meiji era
Lafcadio Hearn says that Japanese culture is like a Bonsai tree, meticulously sculpted and trimmed and controlled for thousands of years.Even during his time (1890-1904) the rules were changing and the gardner was putting away his shears, and chaos was beginning to reclaim the tree.

However, to understand this strange plant, with the roots and bends and twists of Bonsai sculpting, one must look at its past, and the methods of shaping.From Hearn's point of view, this shaping is religion, specifically Ancestor worship and the "rule of the dead."Without insight into Japanese religious history and practices, Hearn says, you cannot understand Japan, its history or its people.

"Japan: An attempt at interpretation" is incredibly insightful and thorough, offering a history of the various forms of Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism and other folk-practices that shaped the national character.I am currently working on my MA in Japanese Religion, and I can verify that his research is correct, and his conclusions still hold.It is the longest of Hearn's books, and obviously a great deal of work went into it.

All though time has passed him by, "Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation" is still a valid, interesting book, both well-written and accurate.It DOES help explain Japanese interactions and culture.Most interesting are his speculations of Japanese culture, and where it would go in his pre-WWII era.Unfortunately, some of his worst fears were realized.

Somewhat Dated, But Still Interesting
The author's premise is that "Japan can be understood only through study of her religious and social evolution."Toward that end, he gives a good and interesting account of the history and development of the Shinto faith.

This book describes in detail not only Shinto's history, but also how the religion effected and influenced Japanese society and culture for well over 2000 years.There are chapters on Shinto's/Japan's response to the introduction of new religious ideas --- namely Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity --- and on its reaction to the rise of the shoguns, and to the sudden introduction of Western ways in the mid-nineteenth century.

All-in-all, this is an informative, educational book.

One word of caution is in order, however: Hearn wrote this book in 1904.It is therefore somewhat dated; and the author's flowery Victorian-era prose might put some readers off.Same can be said for his use of nineteenth century anthropological terms and references --- words such as "Aryan," for example.Still, if the reader can look past Hearn's personal prejudices, this book is a fine history of Shinto up until the year 1904.

To complete a study of Shinto, of course, it would be necessary to learn of the religion's development through the Second World War and beyond.I am not aware of any book bringing the history of Shinto into the present, but perhaps they exist ... in English. ... Read more

Product Description
The American essays of renowned writer Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) artistically chronicle the robust urban life of Cincinnati and New Orleans. Hearn is one of the few chroniclers of urban American life in the nineteenth century, and much of this material has not been widely available since the 1950s.

Lafcadio Hearn’s America collects Hearn’s stories of vagabonds, river people, mystics, criminals, and some of the earliest accounts available of black and ethnic urban folklife in America. He was a frequently consulted expert on America during his years in Japan, and these editorials reflect on the problems and possibilities of American life as the country entered its greatest century.

Hearn’s work, which reflects an America that is less “melting pot” than a varied, spicy, and often exotic gumbo, provide essential background for the study of America’s first steps away from its agrarian beginnings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Amateurs are better than professionals.
Hearn was one of the great early amateur ethnographers, and this is a revealing collection of his work, though incomplete.

The biographical introduction is excellent. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

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Contents: Question in the Zen Texts; Introduction to Buddhism; Higher Buddhism; Nirvana; Dust; Within the Circle; By Force of Karma; Idea of Preexistence; Pilgrimage to Enoshima; Ancient Cult; Religion of the Home; Development of Shinto; Worship and Purification; Some Thoughts About Ancestor Worship; Kitsuki, The Most Ancient Shrine of Japan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Going native in style
Lafcadio Hearn is probably more famous in Japan than anywhere else. So much so that in the main town on the island Leukas/Lefkadi there are Japanese signs telling the visitor that this is where Lafcadio Hearn spent his first years.

Before Hearn went to Japan where he got married and where he stayed until he died, he had behind him a background as among other things a journalist in the USA. This probably helped him develop his writing as well as his ability to see what was happening around him (even if he had a terribly bad euesight).

For one who is interested in Japanese culture and has read quite a few more modern books on Japan and Japanese religion it is refreshing to read Hearn's views from more than 100 years ago. Anyone interested in japanese religion as it is (or was) lived out among the ordinary Japanese and not only as a theoretical discussion of say Zen or Shingon would benefit from Hearns writings on Japanese religions. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Houghton Mifflin company in 1912 in 102 pages; Subjects: Authors, American; Americans; Journalists; Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Literary; Biography & Autobiography / Editors, Journalists, Publishers; History / Asia / Japan; Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Literary; Literary Criticism / American / General; ... Read more

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The Shelf2Life Literature and Fiction Collection is a unique set of short stories, poems and novels from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.From tales of love, life and heartbreaking loss to humorous stories of ghost encounters, these volumes captivate the imaginations of readers young and old.Included in this collection are a variety of dramatic and spirited poems that contemplate the mysteries of life and celebrate the wild beauty of nature.The Shelf2Life Literature and Fiction Collection provides readers with an opportunity to enjoy and study these iconic literary works, many of which were written during a period of remarkable creativity. ... Read more

Product Description
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), also known as Koizumi Yakumo after gaining Japanese citizenship, was an author, best known for his books about Japan. He is especially well-known for his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. Hearn was born in Lefkada, one of the Greek Ionian Islands. He was the son of Surgeon-major Charles Hearn (of King's County, Ireland) and Rosa Antonia Kassimati, who had been born on Kythera, another of the Ionian Islands. In 1890, Hearn went to Japan with a commission as a newspaper correspondent, which was quickly broken off. It was in Japan, however, that he found his home and his greatest inspiration. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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The life and letters of Lafcadio Hearn including the Japanese Letters. Volume II. ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Originally published in 1915.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

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Reprint of the 1936 edition. Oversized octavo. xvii p., 1 l., 444 p. front., plates, facsims. Lafcadio Hearn was born on the Greek Island of Santa Maura. His mother was Maltese and his father a Britisharmy surgeon of Anglo-Irish descent. When Hearn was two, his mother left him with an aunt in Dublin, who later sent him to prepare for the priesthood. At 19 he arrived in Cincinnati Ohio where he became a reporter. In 1874 he married a local black girl, resulting in the loss of his job. In 1890 Hearn was commissioned to go to Japan, but lost his job shortly after arriving. For a while he taught English, and eventually married Setsuko Koizumi, whose family adopted him. He changed his name to Yakumo Koizumi and became professor of literature at the Imperial University of Tokyo. During this happy time Hearn composed his best prose-minute examinations of Japan, its people, and its folkways. He has been extremely popular in Japan since. This standard bibliography of Hearn describes. It is by far the most comprehensive Hearn Bibliography cited in Besterman [2816] with 2500 titles described. The annotations are descriptions are quite detailed. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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In Two Volumes. This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more