Peeps at Many Lands: Japan

"Peeps at Many Lands: Japan" by John Finnemore is a detailed view of Japan in the late 1800s, concentrating on its customs, everyday living, and land features. The book journeys through Japan's captivating scenery and past events, shining a light on how people behaved and what customs they followed, especially the differences between age-old ways and modern changes. At the start, Japan is presented as "The Land of the Rising Sun," showing its growth into a major player on the world stage. Finnemore talks about how quickly the country modernized, likening Japan's path to England's own history, and paints a picture of its natural beauty, like the famous Mount Fuji, setting the scene for a closer look at Japanese society and its deep-rooted traditions.