Noto: An Unexplored Corner of Japan

"Noto: An Unexplored Corner of Japan" by Percival Lowell is a travel narrative written in the late 19th century. The book chronicles Lowell's journey to the Noto Peninsula in Japan, an area that was largely unknown to Western travelers at the time. The text captures his fascination with the region's landscape and culture through both his personal experiences and reflections, exploring both the beauty of the Japanese countryside and the idiosyncrasies of local life. At the start of the book, Lowell expresses his desire to visit Noto, sparked by a captivating map of the region. As he prepares for his adventure, he contemplates the mystery surrounding Noto, which few of his acquaintances seem to know much about. Accompanied by his Japanese boy, Yejiro, who serves as his cook and travel companion, Lowell sets out on a journey laden with supplies and a whimsical sense of exploration. The opening chapters detail his travel preparations, the challenges of navigating the Japanese landscape, and his musings on the significance of the regions he is passing through. The reader is introduced to his humor and sense of curiosity, hinting at the rich stories and surprises that await in the uncharted territories of Noto. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Percival Lowell was an American businessman, author, mathematician, and astronomer who fueled speculation that there were canals on Mars, and furthered theories of a ninth planet within the Solar System. He founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and formed the beginning of the effort that led to the discovery of Pluto 14 years after his death.