Publisher's Synopsis
""Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation"" is a book written by Lafcadio Hearn, a Greek-born writer who lived in Japan for many years and became fascinated by its culture. The book is a collection of essays that attempt to explain various aspects of Japanese culture, including its religion, art, literature, and social customs. Hearn draws on his own experiences living in Japan as well as his extensive research to provide insights into the unique character of Japanese culture. The book is divided into several sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Japanese life. Hearn's writing is highly descriptive and poetic, and he often uses personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. Overall, ""Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation"" is a fascinating exploration of a complex and enigmatic culture that remains relevant today.The alternate drinking of rice-wine, by bridegroom and bride, from the same vessels, corresponds in a sort to the Roman confarreatio. By the wedding-rite the bride is adopted into the family religion. She is adopted not only by the living but by the dead; she must thereafter revere the ancestors of her husband as her own ancestors; and should there be no elders in the household, it will become her duty to make the offerings, as representative of her husband. With the cult of her own family she has nothing more to do; and the funeral ceremonies performed upon her departure from the parental roof, --the solemn sweeping-out of the house-rooms, the lighting of the death-fire before the gate, --are significant of this religious separation.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
