Lafcadio Hearn

A pilgrim tries to climb a mountain of skulls. A dying woman bequeaths her rival a sinister legacy. A ghostly beauty leaves the spirit world to visit her samurai lover. In Ghostly Japan collects Lafcadio Hearn's writings on the supernatural tales and ghostly lore of old Japan. Drawing on ancient legends passed down through generations, Hearn paints a vivid portrait of spirits, demons, and mysteries that haunt the Japanese imagination. In his characteristically captivating prose, he brings to life phantoms and visions, exploring the country's rich tradition of otherworldly beliefs along with Buddhist proverbs, haiku translations, and the ritual uses of incense. This spine-tingling collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the unseen realms of the Japanese world as envisioned by one of the great chroniclers of Japanese culture who was also a master of the macabre.

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.

"Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation" by Lafcadio Hearn offers a profound analysis of Japanese society and culture through the lens of a Western perspective. Hearn, renowned for his insightful cross-cultural observations, delves deep into Japan's history, tradition, and identity, providing unique insights into the complexities of this East meets West encounter. Through meticulous analysis and keen perception, Hearn explores the exoticism of Japan while unraveling the intricacies of its cultural tapestry. In this literary work, Hearn navigates the realms of literature, history, and anthropology, offering readers a comprehensive interpretation of Japan's rich heritage and societal norms. The book serves as a bridge between East and West, facilitating a greater understanding of Japanese culture for Western audiences. Hearn's exploration of Japan's identity and traditions reflects his profound respect for the country and its people, while also shedding light on the challenges of cross-cultural communication. "Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation" stands as a timeless masterpiece of cross-cultural literature, providing readers with valuable insights into the enigmatic allure of Japan and its enduring influence on the global stage.

Some Chinese Ghosts, a classical book, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

The dead wreak revenge on the living, paintings come alive, spectral brides possess mortal men and a priest devours human flesh in these chilling Japanese ghost stories retold by a master of the supernatural. Lafcadio Hearn drew on the phantoms and ghouls of traditional Japanese folklore - including the headless 'rokuro-kubi', the monstrous goblins 'jikininki' or the faceless 'mujina' who stalk lonely neighbourhoods - and infused them with his own memories of his haunted childhood in nineteenth-century Ireland to create these terrifying tales of striking and eerie power. Today they are regarded in Japan as classics in their own right.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

The Romance of the Milky Way, and Other Studies & Stories, a classical and rare book that has been considered essential throughout human history, so that this work is never forgotten, we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Deriving its title from the word for "ghost story" in Japanese Kwaidan is a compilation of supernatural tales from Japan. Hearn writes in his introduction, written only months before his death, that the majority of the stories were translated from old Japanese texts (some of which themselves were based on earlier Chinese tales), although one of the stories, "Riki-Baka," he declares to be of his own making, based on a personal experience. Unmentioned in the introduction, another of the stories - "Hi-Mawari", written in the first person - appears almost certainly to be born from his own experience also, a recollection of a childhood experience in Wales. Among the many curious happenings related in the other stories, we read of man-eating goblins, a musician who performs for the dead, a mysterious face appearing in a cup of tea, and, rather terrifyingly, a featureless girl with a face as smooth as an egg. The final section of the book, "Insect-Studies," presents Chinese and Japanese superstitions relating to the insect world: butterflies (personifications of the human soul), mosquitoes (karmic reincarnations of jealous or greedy people), and ants (humanity's superior in chastity, ethics, social structure, longevity, and evolution). Vastly different from ghost stories in the West, this collection will haunt your dreams and leave you shivering in the dark.

Some Chinese Ghosts is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1887. Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.