Occult Japan (The Way of the Gods) (ePub)

Percival Lowell (1855-1916) was an esteemed American astronomer, mathematician, and author whose enduring interest in East Asian culture and celestial phenomena significantly impacted both the field of astronomy and Western perceptions of Asian religions and practices. Born to a distinguished Boston family, Lowell graduated from Harvard University with a distinction in mathematics. Before fully dedicating his life to astronomy, Lowell exhibited a profound fascination with the Far East, which prompted his extensive travels to Japan. These journeys culminated in the work 'Occult Japan: The Way of the Gods' (1894), a scholarly exploration of the Shinto religion and its spiritual ceremonies that aimed to unveil the enigmatic nature of Japanese religious traditions to a Western audience. In 'Occult Japan', Lowell provided a meticulous account of the esoteric practices and beliefs he encountered, offering readers an intersection of anthropology and theosophy that was rare for the era. Apart from his literary contributions, Lowell is perhaps best known for his astronomical endeavors, which include founding the Lowell Observatory and advancing the study of Mars. His literary style often intertwined scientific inquiry with a philosophical pondering of the larger, often mystical implications of the subjects he studied. Lowell's works are pivotal in the canon of literature that bridged the Western scholarly community with Asian spiritualism, and his contributions to planetary science remain influential to this day.