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.
The collection features Lafcadio Hearn's early writings, highlighting his vivid imagination through a mix of short stories and essays. It skillfully intertwines supernatural elements with whimsical themes, showcasing his fascination with the mystical and macabre. This anthology offers a glimpse into Hearn's literary flair and unique perspective, making it a compelling read for fans of fantastical literature.
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.
WIKIPEDIA says: 'H.P. Lovecraft's reputation has grown tremendously over the decades, and he is now commonly regarded as one of the most important horror writers of the 20th century, exerting an influence that is widespread, though often indirect.' H.P. Lovecraft's tales of the tentacled Elder God Cthulhu and his pantheon of alien deities were initially written for the pulp magazines of the 1920s and '30s. These astonishing tales blend elements of horror, science fiction and cosmic terror that are as powerful today as they were when they were first published. This handsome leatherbound tome collects together the very best of Lovecraft's tales of terror, including the complete Cthulhu Mythos cycle, just the way they were originally published. It will introduce a whole new generation of readers to Lovecraft's fiction, as well as being a must-buy for those fans who want all his work in a single, definitive, highly attractive volume.
Hints and Echoes of Japanese Inner Life
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.
Lafcadio Hearn's deep admiration for Japanese culture led him to become a prominent figure in retelling Asian ghost stories. His collection features forty chilling tales drawn from various works, showcasing his talent for storytelling and his role in introducing Japanese mythology to a global audience. This edition highlights Hearn's unique ability to weave together macabre elements with cultural insights, making it a significant contribution to the understanding of Asian folklore at the turn of the 20th century.
The essays delve into the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Japanese Buddhism, offering insightful reflections and vivid descriptions. Hearn explores the teachings, practices, and cultural expressions of Buddhism in Japan, providing a deep understanding of its significance and impact.
A book that deeply influenced the young Freud & was the inspiration for many artists, The Temptation of Saint Anthony was Flaubert's lifelong work, 30 years in the making. Based on the story of the 3rd-century saint who lived on an isolated mountaintop in the Egyptian desert, it's a fantastical rendering of one night during which Anthony is besieged by carnal temptations & philosophical doubt. This edition features the distinguished Lafcadio Hearn translation, which translator Richard Sieburth calls a splendid period piece from one of America's premier translators of 19th-century French prose. In Lafcadio Hearn's Latinate rendering, Flaubert's experimental drama of the modern consciousness reads as weirdly as its oneiric original.
