Kwaidan Stories and Studies of Strange Things

by Lafcadio Hearn

Overview

A blind musician with amazing talent is called upon to perform for the dead. Faceless creatures haunt an unwary traveler. A beautiful woman — the personification of winter at its cruelest — ruthlessly kills unsuspecting mortals. These and 17 other chilling supernatural tales — based on legends, myths, and beliefs of ancient Japan — represent the very best of Lafcadio Hearn's literary style. They are also a culmination of his lifelong interest in the endlessly fascinating customs and tales of the country where he spent the last fourteen years of his life, translating into English the atmospheric stories he so avidly collected. Teeming with undead samurais, man-eating goblins, and other terrifying demons, these are 20 classic ghost stories. (Goodreads)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783985311491
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	07/31/2021
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	125
File size:	686 KB

About the Author

Lafcadio Hearn, born in 1850 on the Greek island of Lefkada, is a literary figure whose life and works bridge the East and West in fascinating ways. Raised in Ireland and educated in France and England, Hearn eventually made his way to the United States, where he worked as a journalist in Cincinnati and New Orleans. His early writings, marked by vivid descriptions and a keen eye for the macabre, earned him a reputation as a master of Gothic horror.However, it was his relocation to Japan in 1890 that truly defined his legacy. Embracing Japanese culture with unparalleled enthusiasm, Hearn became a naturalized citizen and took the name Koizumi Yakumo. His works, such as "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things," offer Western readers a window into the folklore, ghost stories, and everyday life of Meiji-era Japan. Hearn's writings were instrumental in shaping Western perceptions of Japan during a period of rapid modernization and cultural exchange.Controversially, Hearn's romanticized portrayals sometimes glossed over the complexities and challenges of Japanese society. Yet, his deep empathy and genuine curiosity set him apart as a cultural bridge-builder. His influence extends to contemporary writers and scholars who explore cross-cultural themes and the supernatural.Hearn's life was marked by a restless quest for belonging and understanding, making him a compelling figure for modern readers interested in cultural hybridity, the supernatural, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Koizumi Yakumo (27 June 1850 – 26 September 1904), born Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, was a writer. He worked in the United States before moving to Japan and becoming Japanese. He was of Greek-Irish descent. He wrote about Japanese culture, especially his collections of legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. In the United States, he is also known for his writings about New Orleans, based on his decade-long stay there.