Lafcadio Hearn’s Japan: Stories and Essays from Japan’s Most Famous Foreign Observer

‘The Japanese people are more mysterious than I imagined through Hearn’s books.’ - Albert Einstein

Lafcadio Hearn is the most significant early interpreter of Japan and Japanese culture for the West - a man who travelled to Japan when he was thirty-nine, and never left. Lafcadio Hearn’s Japan presents Hearn’s most famous stories and essays about his adopted land - recounting his love for its striking natural beauty and the rich character and customs of its people.

The 18 fascinating essays in this book include:

‘In a Japanese Garden’ - The classic description of the meditative calm and serenity Hearn experienced when visiting a traditional Zen garden just outside his back door ‘Strangeness and Charm’ - Expressing his deep love for the richness and beauty of traditional Japanese culture ‘In the Cave of the Children’s Ghosts’ - An account of a journey to an isolated sea cave where the souls of dead children were said to congregate

Lafcadio Hearn’s Japan provides an unforgettable look at traditional Japan through the eyes of a sensitive and eloquent foreigner. This new edition features a foreword by Steve Kemme, a leading expert on Hearn and president of the Lafcadio Hearn Society (USA). It also includes 30 colour photos showcasing the people and places which Hearn so lovingly describes.