The Soul of the Far East

This work delves into the stark contrasts between Eastern and Western cultures, specifically focusing on the notions of individuality and community. The author examines the ways in which the Japanese and other Far Eastern societies view the world around them, suggesting that their collective mindset leads to a unique form of civilization that emphasizes harmony and social ordering over individual expression. The opening of the book illustrates Lowell's initial impressions upon arriving in Japan, capturing his perception of the Japanese way of thinking as topsy-turvy and distinct from his own Western perspective. He describes the paradox of viewing the Japanese as both familiar and strange, as their customs and beliefs reveal a different interpretation of humanity. As he elaborates on the concept of individuality, Lowell argues that the Far East's cultural focus on family and community diminishes personal identity, which contrasts greatly with the Western emphasis on individualism. Through his observations, he sets the stage for a nuanced exploration of Eastern values and their implications for understanding the human experience.

He is permitted instead only the much less special honor of a birth-year. Not that he begins his separate existence otherwise than is the custom of mortals generally, at a definite instant of time, but that very little subsequent notice is ever taken of the fact. On the contrary, from the moment he makes his appearance he is spoken of as a year old, and this same age he continues to be considered in most simple ease of calculation, till the beginning of the next calendar year. When that epoch of general rejoicing arrives, he is credited with another year himself. So is everybody else. New Year's day is a common birthday for the community, a sort of impersonal anniversary for his whole world. A like reckoning is followed in China and Korea. Upon the disadvantages of being considered from one's birth up at least one year and possibly two older than one really is, it lies beyond our present purpose to expatiate. It is quite evident that woman has had no voice in the framing of such a chronology. One would hardly imagine that man had either, so astronomic is the system. A communistic age is however but an unavoidable detail of the general scheme whose most suggestive feature consists in the subordination of the actual birthday of the individual