The foundations of Japan : $b Notes made during journeys of 6,000 miles in the rural districts as a basis for a sounder knowledge of the Japanese people

"The Foundations of Japan" by J.W. Robertson Scott is a study about countryside Japan in the early 1900s. The book describes the author's travels through rural Japan, where he tries to learn about the lives, culture, and experiences of the farmers there. This population makes up more than half of the country. The main goal of the book is to figure out what Japan is really like. The beginning of the story talks about why the author wanted to explore Japan and how he felt about learning about the country from a rural point of view, away from city influences. He talks about meeting different people like farmers, priests, and local leaders, and he shows how hard and complicated rural life can be. Through talking with a Buddhist priest, he shines a light on the moral and social issues that the community is facing. Through personal stories and conversations, the beginning of the book builds a path for learning about Japan's culture and how important its rural communities are.