Lafcadio Hearn

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Permalink Reply by Hideyuki Sobue on August 23, 2008 at 12:59

Talking about Lafcadio Hearn, also know as Koizumi Yakumo, I think he is best known in his unique perspective besed on folklore and journalism upon pre-industrial and Meiji Era Japan. I still vividly remember several stories in one of the books entitled "Kwaidan" he wrote, such as "The Story of Mimi-Nashi-Hoichi", "Rokuro-Kubi" and "Yuki-Onna", the compilation of folkloric ghost stories. They certainly scared me when I was a little boy, and I think he successfully captured very unique mentality by which Japan has been so long and is still obsessed.
Although it is said about Hearn that he might over-gramourize Japan, hence his books fed Western elites in Exoticism, I believe that Hearn still speaks a lot offers us valuable insight to understand "exotic" Japan.

Hideyuki

Permalink Reply by artammon on August 24, 2008 at 7:38

Thanks for your answer, it was a surprise for me you read this histories as a child! It was special for you, I mean, you read many books even for adults, or these histories are considered as legends for all ages? Excuse my english, I have visit your page and your style is very original, painting as photography, in my case I try to reach painting with my photos!