This author explored Japanese culture and spirituality with a profound sensitivity, drawing from his own roots straddling East and West. His insightful essays and narratives delve into the mysteries of Japanese life, mythology, and folklore. Through his writing, he sought to bridge cultural divides, conveying to readers the beauty and complexity of the world he discovered and embraced. His style is poetic and attentive to detail, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and depth of his literary works.
This book introduces a world that few early Western visitors to Japan ever saw. This is the world of unusual customs, bizarre superstitions, and enchanting scenery. Included in this classic volume are Hearn's well-known essays on gardens, festivals, the household shrine, and other aspects of Japanese daily life.
As a facsimile reprint of a scarce antiquarian work, this edition captures the essence of the original text while acknowledging potential imperfections such as marks and marginalia. The publication emphasizes its cultural significance and reflects a commitment to preserving literary heritage. It aims to provide readers with an accessible, high-quality version that remains faithful to the original, ensuring that important works are preserved for future generations.
The TREDITION CLASSICS series aims to revive public domain literature by making it available in print, ensuring that great works remain accessible to readers. Driven by a passion for literature, the series collaborates with various non-profit projects to enrich its content. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is donated to support these initiatives, allowing readers to contribute to the preservation of significant literary works.
Recognized for its cultural significance, this work contributes to the foundational knowledge of civilization. It has been selected by scholars for its importance, highlighting its role in understanding historical and societal contexts.
Set in Mozambique, this non-fiction article explores themes of deception and the supernatural, marking a pivotal moment in Western literature with its introduction of the zombie concept. Originally published in 1889, it captures the eerie folklore of the region. The republished edition aims to preserve the original text and artwork, making these rare stories accessible to modern readers while highlighting their historical significance.
Japanese Legends of Ghosts, Yokai, Yurei, and Other Oddities
Exploring the supernatural, this collection delves into Japan's rich ghostly lore through Lafcadio Hearn's captivating prose. It features tales of a pilgrim's climb among skulls, a dying woman's sinister legacy, and a ghostly beauty's visit to her samurai lover. Drawing on ancient legends, Hearn vividly portrays spirits and demons while weaving in Buddhist proverbs, haiku translations, and incense rituals. This work offers a spine-tingling glimpse into the unseen realms of Japanese culture, showcasing Hearn's mastery of the macabre.
The works of Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) played a critical role in introducing his adopted Japan to a worldwide audience. In Kokoro: Hints and Echoes of Japanese Inner Life, he writes, "The papers composing this volume treat of the inner rather than of the outer life of Japan, - for which reason they have been grouped under the title Kokoro (heart). This word signifies also mind, in the emotional sense; spirit; courage; resolve; sentiment; affection; and inner meaning, - just as we say in English, 'the heart of things.'" After centuries of isolation Meiji-era Japan was forced to adjust its customs and beliefs to Western influences, and Hearn reflects on the value of these traditions of the "heart" as seen in Japanese popular justice, arts, economy, patriotism, and religion. Chapters include: At a Railway Station - The Genius of Japanese Civilization - A Street Singer - From a Traveling Diary - The Nun of the Temple of Amida - After the War - Haru - A Glimpse of Tendencies - By Force of Karma - A Conservative - In the Twilight of the Gods - The Idea of Preëxistence - In Cholera-Time - Some Thoughts About Ancestor-Worship - Kimiko - Three Popular Ballads: The Ballad of Shūntoku-maru - The Ballad of Oguri-Hangwan - The Ballad of O-Shichi, the Daughter of the Yaoya.
The book presents a captivating collection of Japanese ghost stories and strange tales, showcasing Lafcadio Hearn's translations alongside Kent Williams' striking illustrations. It features over sixty artworks that vividly depict eerie spirits and macabre folklore, including corpse brides and haunting goblins. Accompanying essays by notable figures like Darren Aronofsky and Bon Koizumi enrich the experience. Housed in an elegant slipcase, this edition is a stunning addition to the Illuminated Editions series, merging rich storytelling with exceptional artistry.
Set in 1870s Cincinnati, the narrative explores the vibrant African American culture thriving in the city, supported by commerce along the Ohio River. Young Lafcadio Hearn, a budding journalist, captures the essence of this community through twelve insightful sketches. His observations reveal a unique cosmopolitan tolerance amidst the roughness of levee life, providing a nuanced portrayal of post-Civil War African American experiences. These early writings not only document a significant cultural landscape but also hint at Hearn's future journeys across various regions.