The influence exerted by belief in invisible presences is illustrated
by Mr. Lafcadio Hearn, who says that it is extremely difficult for a
Western mind to apprehend the full meaning of ancestor-worship as a
family religion, and cites as the nearest parallel the nature of the
old Greek piety:
Each member of the family supposes himself or herself under
perpetual ghostly surveillance. Spirit eyes are watching every
act; spirit ears are listening to every word. Thoughts, too,
not less than deeds, are visible to the gaze of the dead; the
heart must be pure, the mind must be under control, within the
presence of the spirits. Probably the influence of such beliefs,
uninterruptedly exerted upon conduct during thousands of years,
did much to form the charming side of Japanese character. (Text.)
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