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At the close of the 19th century, Japan remained a mysterious, isolated land to much of the Western world. In 1889, Greek-Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn became one of the first Westerners to document life in Meiji Era Japan firsthand when he settled in the country to teach English.
In Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, Hearn captures his fascinating early impressions of Japanese culture, traditions, and remarkable people. He recounts details both quaint and surprising-paper windows, communal bath houses, the lives of dancers, feather artisans, and blind masseurs-with poetic observation and insight gained from integrating into Japanese society as his perspective gradually shifts from that of a Westerner abroad to a Japanese local.
From musings on Shinto death rituals to tales of vengeful ghosts, Hearn entrances readers with Japan's unique spiritual relationship to nature, ancestry, and the supernatural. At times displaying Western attitudes, yet more progressive than many of his era, Hearn develops an affectionate appreciation of Japan. His vivid travel writing captures striking aspects of a nation slowly emerging from centuries of isolation into the 20th century.
Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan was originally published in two volumes; this edition presents the entire work in one, including the author's explanatory footnotes. The text is newly designed and typeset, printed on archival-quality, acid-free paper with case-laminate binding for durability and long use.
About the author
Lafcadio Hearn was born in the Greek Ionian Islands on June 27, 1850. When he was 6 years old, he moved from the Island of Leucos to Ireland and was raised by his Irish great-aunt until the age of 16. He was then sent to the US and began working as a journalist, first in Cincinnati and then in New Orleans. He also spent time translating French literature into English and soon developed his own writing style as well as his own interests in storytelling.In 1890, Hearn found his place in life when he traveled to Japan and became enchanted with Japanese culture, history, language, and folklore. His upbringing had been a lonely one, but he soon found his family when he fell in love with Setzu Koizumi and married her in 1891. Hearn became a Japanese citizen, took the name Yakumo Koizumi, and taught at the Imperial University for many years. He and his wife had four children, and it has been recorded that he was a loving father and family man.Lafcadio Hearn's works demonstrate sincere love and devotion for Japan. Most entertaining are his Japanese ghost stories, which give rich insight into the history, culture, and traditions of the Japanese people. These stories were not only widely translated but also adapted into film with the movie Kwaidan in 1964. He remained devoted to Japan until his passing in 1904 at the age of 54.
