Lafcadio Hearn's Japan: An Anthology of His Writings [Paperback]

Lafcadio Hearn (Author), Donald Richie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

Over one hundred years after his death, author, translator and educator Lafcadio Hearn remains one of the best-known Westerners ever to make Japan his home. His prolific writings on things Japanese helped shape Western views on Japan well into the twentieth century.

This masterful anthology compiled by Donald Richie is organized into two parts.

Part One, "The Land", chronicles Hearn's early years, when he wrote primarily about the appearance of his new home.
Part Two, "The People", records the author's later years, when he came to terms with the Japanese themselves.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Donald Richie, a resident of Japan since 1947, is the author of many critically acclaimed books about the country.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 1st edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804820961
• ISBN-13: 978-0804820967
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,134,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Rewarding Piece, April 10, 2001

By 

Robert (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lafcadio Hearn's Japan: An Anthology of His Writings (Paperback)

The selection of works by Lafcadio Hearn shows the true Japan of ancient times. In his writings, there is a great deal of description and depth which allows the reader to fully understand how completely different it is from the Western world he came from. The first half deals with his surroundings-the garden he would watch for hours, his home where he would watch the townspeople go about their daily routines, the temples with their own unique legends and traditions. The second half of the book, though, is more interesting in that he describes the people in particular. Through his friends and those around him he tells exciting anecdotes that reveal the real Japan. I enjoyed this book very much and am glad I decided to purchase it. For anyone interested in learning about Japan following the beginning of the Meiji era (after 1868) this is definitely a good book to start with.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compilation of folk stories from Japan, April 3, 2007

By 

Sofia Motamedi "The Talking Pianita" (Rolling Meadows, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lafcadio Hearn's Japan: An Anthology of His Writings (Paperback)

Lafcadio Hearn published a series of short stories to be printed in a famous periodical in US. These are a few of those stories. His approach is reminiscent of Washington Irving, Tales of Alhambra. That is to say, that the stories are part folk, part his own imagination or views. Just like a Gaugin's painting of Tahitian women, Mr Hearn "recreated" his own Japan. The stories and descriptions are beautiful, very atmospheric, and easthetic. They are a pleasure to read over and over.