Author(s): Lafcadio Hearn

Travel Writing

"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 traveled 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" Hearn's classic description of the meditative calm and serenity he 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 are 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 21 color photos showcasing the people and places which Hearn so lovingly describes.