| Author |
Silver, J. M. W. (Jacob Mortimer Wier) |
| Title |
Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 51.5 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
E-text prepared by Doshisha University, Michael Ciesielski, Sandra Brown, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
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| Summary |
"Sketches of Japanese Manners and Customs" by J. M. W. Silver is a fascinating exploration of Japanese culture and society, written during the late 19th century. This book serves as a historical account of various aspects of Japanese life observed by the author, who was a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines stationed in Japan. Silver provides insights into the social customs, festivals, beliefs, and everyday life of the people, portraying a world that was largely unfamiliar to the Western audience of his time. The book is organized into several chapters that cover a wide range of topics, including festivals, domestic life, the aristocracy, the intriguing practice of 'hara kiri,' and a variety of games and amusements. Silver vividly describes celebrations like the 'Oki-don-tako' and the 'Omatsurie,' revealing the rich traditions surrounding Japanese holidays. He also dives into the intricacies of family dynamics, marriage customs, and the honor-bound life of the nobility. Throughout, the author captures a blend of admiration and curiosity, providing anecdotes and observations that highlight both the beauty and the complexities of Japanese culture during a time of significant change and Western influence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
DS: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Asia
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| Subject |
Japan -- Social life and customs
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
13051 |
| Release Date |
Jul 29, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 15, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
559 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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