Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan: First Series

by Lafcadio Hearn

"Glimpses of Unfamiliar First Series" by Lafcadio Hearn is a captivating exploration of Japanese culture and society through the eyes of a foreigner. Hearn, a writer and journalist, immerses himself in the daily lives of the Japanese people, capturing their traditions, beliefs, and the beauty of their landscapes. His vivid descriptions and keen observations provide readers with a unique perspective on a world that was largely unknown to the West at the time. The book serves as both a travelogue and a cultural study, revealing the intricacies of Japan's rich heritage.
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In this collection of essays, Hearn delves into various aspects of Japanese life, from the serene beauty of nature to the complexities of social customs. His writing is infused with a sense of wonder and respect for the culture he encounters, making it an essential read for anyone interested in Japan. Hearn's ability to convey the essence of a place and its people allows readers to experience the unfamiliar as if they were there alongside him. This work remains a significant contribution to the understanding of Japan's cultural landscape.

229 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2025

About the author

Greek-born American writer Lafcadio Hearn spent 15 years in Japan; people note his collections of stories and essays, including Kokoro (1896), under pen name Koizumi Yakumo.

Rosa Cassimati (Ρόζα Αντωνίου Κασιμάτη in Greek), a Greek woman, bore Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (Πατρίκιος Λευκάδιος Χερν in Greek or 小泉八雲 in Japanese), a son, to Charles Hearn, an army doctor from Ireland. After making remarkable works in America as a journalist, he went to Japan in 1890 as a journey report writer of a magazine. He arrived in Yokohama, but because of a dissatisfaction with the contract, he quickly quit the job. He afterward moved to Matsué as an English teacher of Shimané prefectural middle school. In Matsué, he got acquainted with Nishida Sentarô, a colleague teacher and his lifelong friend, and married Koizumi Setsu, a daughter of a samurai.
In 1891, he moved to Kumamoto and taught at the fifth high school for three years. Kanô Jigorô, the president of the school of that time, spread judo to the world.

Hearn worked as a journalist in Kôbé and afterward in 1896 got Japanese citizenship and a new name, Koizumi Yakumo. He took this name from "Kojiki," a Japanese ancient myth, which roughly translates as "the place where the clouds are born". On that year, he moved to Tôkyô and began to teach at the Imperial University of Tôkyô. He got respect of students, many of whom made a remarkable literary career. In addition, he wrote much reports of Japan and published in America. So many people read his works as an introduction of Japan. He quit the Imperial University in 1903 and began to teach at Waseda University on the year next. Nevertheless, after only a half year, he died of angina pectoris.