Cultural Conflict - Alessandro Valignano

Thus we who come hither from Europe find ourselves as veritable children who have to learn how to eat, sit , converse, dress, and act politely, and so on. This is the reason why it is impossible either in India or in Europe , to evaluate or to decide the problems of Japan; nor can one even understand or imagine how things occur there, because it is another world, another way of life, other customs, and other laws. many things which are regarded as courteous and honorable in Europe , are here resented as great insults and injuries. Contrariwise many things which are here regarded as common uses of daily life, and without which no social intercourse is possible with the Japanese, are eclipsed in Europe as base and unworthy, especially in a religious community. Alessandro Valignano

Japanese Character and Culture, A group of Select Readings

 1962 Edited by Bernard S Silberman pg 287-288 University of Arizona Press