The Writings on Japan by Lafcadio Hearn: Vol.2

A Japanese Miscellany

Lafcadio Hearn, half Creek and British journalist became popular researcher of Japan in beginning of Meiji era. He taught English in Japanese schools and eventually became Japanese citizen under name of Koizumi Yakumo.

A Japanese miscellany, published by ICG Muse Inc, is wonderful series of books originally written by Lafcadio Hearn. Volume 2 is fantastic as it has a lot of unique illustrations, about japanese dragonflies, snow darumas and various things. This book is a must read for those interested about old Japanese tales as well.

Perhaps Lafcadio Hearn is most known of his collections of strange Japanese tales, in which the movie Kwaidan was based on. In Japanese Miscellany Vol2 introduces six of them:

• Of a Promise Kept
• Of a Promise Broken
• Before the Suppreme Court
• The Story of Kwashin Koji
• The Story of Umetsu Chubei
• The Story of Kogi the Priest

But most interesting is the section "Studies Here and There" where he studies the cultural history and zen and this interesting daruma made of snow..

Recommended reading!