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Nel Giappone spettrale
Nato nell’arcipelago delle isole Ionie da padre irlandese e madre greca, lo scrittore e giornalista Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), dopo aver peregrinato tra l’Irlanda, gli Stati Uniti e le Indie Occidentali, nel 1890 si stabilì in Giappone, assumendo in seguito la cittadinanza di questo paese (con il nome di Yakumo Koizumi) e sposandosi con una donna giapponese. Nella nazione del Sol Levante insegnò letteratura inglese all’Università imperiale di Tokyo e alla Waseda e scrisse svariati libri sul folklore e sulla cultura nipponica del periodo storico precedente all’apertura del Giappone all’Occidente avvenuta a metà Ottocento.
Le otto storie qui presentate costituiscono una documentazione variegata della cultura tradizionale giapponese, spaziando dalle storie sul Budda, ai racconti sui fantasmi e sulle creature fantastiche del folklore nipponico (come i tengu), alle riflessioni sulle implicazioni dottrinarie del buddismo zen, e sono tratte dal volume di racconti intitolato In Ghostly Japan (1899).
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1899
251 people are currently reading
4212 people want to read
About the author
Lafcadio Hearn
1,465 books452 followersGreek-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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
March 5, 2016
Based on the title of this book, and the cover art (my copy depicts the Bodhisattva and a pilgrim climbing an enormous mountain made of human skulls), I was expecting a collection of ghost stories and weird fiction. Instead, this is primarily a collection of essays, parables, and fables of Buddhist life in old Japan (the book was first published in 1899). There is also an interesting essay about incense, and a lovely essay about poetry. The "ghostly" tales in this volume are gently spooky, with strong Buddhist overtones. There is one exception, however: 'Ingwa-banashi' is a wonderfully eerie story that would be perfectly at home in any collection of weird fiction. The final piece,'At Yaidzu', starts out sounding as if it might be a ghost story, but it morphs into a beautiful meditation on the sea, life, death, and the eternal Self. I enjoyed this book even more because it was a total surprise, completely different than what I was expecting.
July 16, 2025
O colecție uimitoare de povestiri cu origini japoneze. Autorul a explorat Japonia și a relatat, caracterizat cu o desăvârșită măiestrie acțiuni, fapte, momente, personaje, tradiții, care uimesc prin natura lor puțin stranie.
Hearn se caracterizează ca fiind- ,,o albinuță literară în căutarea mierii inspirației."
Pe mine personal, m-a purtat cu gândul la E.A. Poe.
Hearn se caracterizează ca fiind- ,,o albinuță literară în căutarea mierii inspirației."
Pe mine personal, m-a purtat cu gândul la E.A. Poe.
May 17, 2023
Ho conosciuto questo autore grazie ad una mostra a Milano presso il negozio giapponese Tenoha Fantasmi & Spiriti del Giappone tratto dal libro Storie di fantasmi del Giappone.
Con quest'altro libriccino di racconti ho conosciuto nuove storie, una più bella di quell'altra: un kimono che prende vita e che uccide chiunque lo indossi, un monaco reincarnato in un uccello, una moglie che non vuole morire per paura che il marito si risposi. Ma il più bello e più "spettrale" di tutti per me è stato il primo, ma non ve lo racconto.. Vi invito a leggerlo ^__^
Con quest'altro libriccino di racconti ho conosciuto nuove storie, una più bella di quell'altra: un kimono che prende vita e che uccide chiunque lo indossi, un monaco reincarnato in un uccello, una moglie che non vuole morire per paura che il marito si risposi. Ma il più bello e più "spettrale" di tutti per me è stato il primo, ma non ve lo racconto.. Vi invito a leggerlo ^__^
July 7, 2022
Lafcadio Hearn fue uno de mis primeros contactos con la literatura japonesa de terror, y siempre le voy a agradecer por eso. Sus relatos son fascinantes, pero acá no solo vemos eso: mucha leyenda, mucha cultura, conocimiento y tradición salidos de su Japón fantasmal. Al principio se vuelca en el terror sobrenatural, luego va encaminándose hacia el folclor de Japón en terminos más generales. Así que si te interesa su cultura, es una antología ideal para vos.
April 2, 2019
A fantastic book from the chief exporter of Japanese culture to the occidental world. A sketchbook of sorts, in the same vein of The Sketchbook by Washington Irving, full of short stories and well informed observations of a rural Japan that has now, unfortunately, mostly slipped into the clutches of urban development.
Hearn was obviously extremely enamoured by his chosen subject, and as such he has left us with a plethora of vivid descriptions that help conjure beautiful, ethereal. and often chilling images of the darker corners of that intriguing land to the east. The story of the peony lantern stuck in my mind as a wonderful amalgamation of all the aforementioned elements and helped highlight the unique nature of the Japanese supernatural world view.
All in all a charming book that won’t take up to much of your time, but will hopefully find a fond place in your heart.
If the subject matter should interest you enough that you would like to read something in a similar vein then I highly recommend Kwaidan, by the same author, and also Japanese Ghosts and Demons: Art of the supernatural by Stephen Addiss.
Hearn was obviously extremely enamoured by his chosen subject, and as such he has left us with a plethora of vivid descriptions that help conjure beautiful, ethereal. and often chilling images of the darker corners of that intriguing land to the east. The story of the peony lantern stuck in my mind as a wonderful amalgamation of all the aforementioned elements and helped highlight the unique nature of the Japanese supernatural world view.
All in all a charming book that won’t take up to much of your time, but will hopefully find a fond place in your heart.
If the subject matter should interest you enough that you would like to read something in a similar vein then I highly recommend Kwaidan, by the same author, and also Japanese Ghosts and Demons: Art of the supernatural by Stephen Addiss.
July 7, 2020
Este libro me lo regaló Elena para mi cumpleaños el año pasado. Por el título, la portada y la sinopsis de la editorial parece que sea una recopilación de cuentos de terror japoneses, pero no es así. Más bien es una serie de ensayos y relatos que hablan sobre el folclore japonés, costumbres o rituales, y es verdad que en esta cultura el mundo de los espíritus está muy presente y de vez en cuando alguno aparece en el libro, pero no, no es un libro de terror. A mí me ha gustado, aunque no haya sido exactamente lo que esperaba, pero me gusta tanto aprender cosas sobre la cultura japonesa y del Asia Oriental que me ha parecido muy interesante.
Lafcadio Hearn nació en Grecia en 1850, en 1869 marchó a Estados Unidos para estudiar periodismo y en 1890 se instaló en Japón, donde vivió hasta su muerte en 1904. Allí trabajó como profesor y fue donde escribió sus libros, se casó con una japonesa y desarrolló un profundo conocimiento de la cultura y tradiciones niponas. Los japoneses, aun hoy en día le tienen en gran estima, consideran que es el occidental que mejor les ha conocido y se le agradece mucho la labor de haber plasmado en sus obras su saber sobre Japón, que ayudaron a que en occidente se conociera parte de la cultura del país.
Cuando Lafcadio Hearn llegó a Japón, habían pasado ya veintidós años desde la Restauración Meiji que supuso la apertura de las fronteras del país, pues durante los algo más de doscientos años que duró el Shogunato Tokugawa, hasta la Restauración, Japón permaneció herméticamente cerrado excepto en algunos puertos donde se permitía el comercio internacional. Por lo tanto, Hearn encontró un Japón lanzado ya hacia una época más moderna, pero que todavía recordaba muy bien las tradiciones del Shogunato, aunque algunas ya hubieran quedado obsoletas. Es por esto que este libro resulta muy interesante, porque se percibe la transición cultural y social por la que pasaron los japoneses en estos años. Así, en este libro se ve claramente una mezcla de tradiciones, la mayoría provenientes de China, como ocurre en toda el Asia Oriental. Ha sido muy enriquecedor para mí leer algo de un autor que vivió en esa época de cambio.
Lafcadio Hearn nació en Grecia en 1850, en 1869 marchó a Estados Unidos para estudiar periodismo y en 1890 se instaló en Japón, donde vivió hasta su muerte en 1904. Allí trabajó como profesor y fue donde escribió sus libros, se casó con una japonesa y desarrolló un profundo conocimiento de la cultura y tradiciones niponas. Los japoneses, aun hoy en día le tienen en gran estima, consideran que es el occidental que mejor les ha conocido y se le agradece mucho la labor de haber plasmado en sus obras su saber sobre Japón, que ayudaron a que en occidente se conociera parte de la cultura del país.
Cuando Lafcadio Hearn llegó a Japón, habían pasado ya veintidós años desde la Restauración Meiji que supuso la apertura de las fronteras del país, pues durante los algo más de doscientos años que duró el Shogunato Tokugawa, hasta la Restauración, Japón permaneció herméticamente cerrado excepto en algunos puertos donde se permitía el comercio internacional. Por lo tanto, Hearn encontró un Japón lanzado ya hacia una época más moderna, pero que todavía recordaba muy bien las tradiciones del Shogunato, aunque algunas ya hubieran quedado obsoletas. Es por esto que este libro resulta muy interesante, porque se percibe la transición cultural y social por la que pasaron los japoneses en estos años. Así, en este libro se ve claramente una mezcla de tradiciones, la mayoría provenientes de China, como ocurre en toda el Asia Oriental. Ha sido muy enriquecedor para mí leer algo de un autor que vivió en esa época de cambio.
December 6, 2023
Ya había leído algunos de los relatos que se incluyen aquí. Es un compendio de tradiciones, leyendas y cuentos alrededor de la muerte.
Me ha gustado que se trata no solo de historias, sino de poemas y filosofía, así como algunas reflexiones del propio autor. Lo recomendaría solo para quien le gusta la cultura japonesa.
Me ha gustado que se trata no solo de historias, sino de poemas y filosofía, así como algunas reflexiones del propio autor. Lo recomendaría solo para quien le gusta la cultura japonesa.
May 26, 2018
I read "In Ghostly Japan" immediately after finishing Hearn's "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" for which it serves as a very good annex. In addition to the ghost stories, this volume also contains interesting discussions of incense, Japanese proverbs and Haiku. It lacks however any unifying theme which is why I urge to GR members to read "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" first which provides a framework for the motley assortment of items in this book.
March 19, 2024
Musings of a pondering mind.
December 16, 2024
Yazarın Kvadian başlıklı öykü kitabını evvelce okumuş ve çok beğenmiştim. Japon Edebiyatının tüm dünyada tanınmasının öncüsü kabul edilen yazar, bu eserinde, Japon folkloruna ilişkin inanışlar ve gelenekler üzerine yazmış olduğu, küçük ve eğlenceli hikayelere, denemelere, araştırma-inceleme yazılarına yer vermiş. On dört başlıktan oluşan bölümlerde; gençler arasında oynanan oyunlara, kullanılan koku ve tütsülerin tarihine, Budizm inanışı ve atasözlerine, şiir, estetik dahil bir çok konuya yer verilmiş. Japonya hakkında, geçmiş dönemlere ilişkin değerli bilgiler içeriyor.
Meraklısı için keyifli bir okuma sağlayacaktır.
Meraklısı için keyifli bir okuma sağlayacaktır.
August 10, 2016
Me ha decepcionado.
Ale, ya lo he dicho. Pero no me ha decepcionado por el autor, ya que su prosa me parece magnifica, y la verdad es que se puede conocer mucho del historiador por el amor puesto en cada historia y su interés por describir en detalle las costumbres japonesas. Estoy un poco decepcionada por la editorial.
La sinopsis ya avisa de que el libro no sólo va a hablar de la parte de japón fantasmal, sino que se conjugaría con otro tipo de historias... pero es que historias sobre espíritus o sobre la parte más "oscura" de Japón solo hay tres. El resto parece que la editorial ha tenido que aumentar páginas al libro y han metido rollo relacionado con historias del autor que no tienen ningún sentido en el libro, frases de buda que están interesantes pero que para eso me compro un libro que vaya sobre ese tema, y cosas varias.
¿Conclusión? Si buscas aprender de manera general sobre la historia de Japón lo recomiendo. Si quieres conocer sobre los fantasmas y las historias más oscuras de Japón, ahorratelo, porque no lo es.
Ale, ya lo he dicho. Pero no me ha decepcionado por el autor, ya que su prosa me parece magnifica, y la verdad es que se puede conocer mucho del historiador por el amor puesto en cada historia y su interés por describir en detalle las costumbres japonesas. Estoy un poco decepcionada por la editorial.
La sinopsis ya avisa de que el libro no sólo va a hablar de la parte de japón fantasmal, sino que se conjugaría con otro tipo de historias... pero es que historias sobre espíritus o sobre la parte más "oscura" de Japón solo hay tres. El resto parece que la editorial ha tenido que aumentar páginas al libro y han metido rollo relacionado con historias del autor que no tienen ningún sentido en el libro, frases de buda que están interesantes pero que para eso me compro un libro que vaya sobre ese tema, y cosas varias.
¿Conclusión? Si buscas aprender de manera general sobre la historia de Japón lo recomiendo. Si quieres conocer sobre los fantasmas y las historias más oscuras de Japón, ahorratelo, porque no lo es.
February 7, 2017
Though I read a later edition, the first edition was published in 1899. In a way, this little collection reminds me of Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra. Both are men in foreign countries, traveling, learning about, living in, & experiencing cultures other than their own. Some of the essays or stories give you insights into the cultures, habits, & surroundings, while others recount local folktales & folklore.
This is a delightful little collection that surely must have been an enticing look at Japan through a Westerner's lens, especially when first published. A standout in the book is the chapter titled "A Passional Karma", which is Hearn's retelling of the Botan Dōrō (The Peony Lantern), a Japanese ghost story.
In another section (entitled "Bits of Poetry"), Hearn explains...
One last comment. In the section "Japanese Buddhist Proverbs", number 11 made me chuckle a bit:
Succinct & to the point, no?
A neat window, via 1899, looking into Japan.
This is a delightful little collection that surely must have been an enticing look at Japan through a Westerner's lens, especially when first published. A standout in the book is the chapter titled "A Passional Karma", which is Hearn's retelling of the Botan Dōrō (The Peony Lantern), a Japanese ghost story.
In another section (entitled "Bits of Poetry"), Hearn explains...
"The first curious fact is that, from very ancient times, the writing of short poems has been practiced in Japan even more as a moral duty than as a mere literary art. The old ethical teaching was somewhat like this: -- "Are you very angry? -- do not say anything unkind, but compose a poem. Is your best-beloved dead? -- do not yield to useless grief, but try to calm your mind by making a poem. Are you troubled because you are about to die, leaving so many things unfinished? -- be brave, and write a poem on death! Whatever injustice or misfortune disturbs you, put aside your resentment or your sorrow as soon as possible, and write a few lines of sober and elegant verse for a moral exercise."
One last comment. In the section "Japanese Buddhist Proverbs", number 11 made me chuckle a bit:
"The priest who preaches foul doctrine shall be reborn as a fungus."
Succinct & to the point, no?
A neat window, via 1899, looking into Japan.
January 29, 2022
Ich finde es gut, dass die Texte vermitteln, statt zu exotisieren, positiv überrascht von einem 100+ Jahre alten Buch. Die Übersetzung von Gustav Meyrink hat einen schönen Sound.
April 19, 2013
In Ghostly Japan is Lafcadio Hearn's wonderfully-written long essay on various interesting subjects in Japan. He talks of supernatural and ghost stories, Buddhist proverbs, there's an interesting meditation on spirituality brought upon by the howling of his dog (I particularly liked this one because of its humor), the curious history and activities surrounding incense, on the science of divination, among other subjects. This is a must-read for any serious cultural understanding of Japan. Treat it as an introduction of sorts. What stands out is the writing of Hearn. It is warm and inviting. Though written more than a century ago, it is still highly readable. (Also I recommend his separate short essay 'On the Gothic' as it explains the reason for his fascination with subjects of this sort.)
February 6, 2017
Еще один прекрасный японский сборник — не только о призраках, конечно, хотя японское сверхъестественное для него практически основная тема. Хёрн еще и очень хороший популяризатор буддизма: здесь есть великолепные и очень познавательные эссе о благовониях и других буддистских маргиналиях (чтобы оценить, конечно, нужно знать о буддизме и синтоизме хотя бы минимум, потому что автор в историю вопроса не погружается, да и не учебник это).
Великолепный очерк о поэзии: напомнил мне, в частности, очень полезное понятие японского стиховедения — ittakkiri (так пишет автор, у него своеобразная, но вполне аккуратная система транскрипции), «все пропало» = «все сказано». Это когда в лирическом высказывании недостает недосказанности, все разжевано. Как раз в этом лично у меня проблема со многими стихами некоторых нынешних — и вроде бы неплохих — поэтов, у которых даже не просто разжевано, а прямо таки положено и даже запихнуто читателю в уши и глаза.
А gossip, как называет свои эссе Хёрн, о буддистских пословицах — прямо-таки обязательное чтение для всех интересующихся.
Великолепный очерк о поэзии: напомнил мне, в частности, очень полезное понятие японского стиховедения — ittakkiri (так пишет автор, у него своеобразная, но вполне аккуратная система транскрипции), «все пропало» = «все сказано». Это когда в лирическом высказывании недостает недосказанности, все разжевано. Как раз в этом лично у меня проблема со многими стихами некоторых нынешних — и вроде бы неплохих — поэтов, у которых даже не просто разжевано, а прямо таки положено и даже запихнуто читателю в уши и глаза.
А gossip, как называет свои эссе Хёрн, о буддистских пословицах — прямо-таки обязательное чтение для всех интересующихся.
March 4, 2019
Sintiéndolo mucho... abandono este libro. No porque sea malo, no lo creo en absoluto, pero no es para nada lo que yo quería leer y creo que en parte me siento un poco engañada por la editorial.
Yo buscaba relatos de terror mezclados con folclore japonés, y de lo primero apenas he encontrado nada. Son más textos informativos (narrados con un halo de misterio... sí, pero nada más) sobre el "Japón fantasmal". Yo diría que este libro es un conjunto de ensayos con algún cuento por ahí.
Y es que la editorial dice, literalmente: "una colección de cuentos del Más Allá para noches de insomnio" y bueno, no creo que sea cierto, puesto que yo leyendo uno en especial (El Incienso) casi me quedo dormida, así que consiguió el efecto contrario.
Si buscáis leer algo con lo que aprender sobre folclore japonés, éste es vuestro libro.
Si queréis leer sobre fantasmas y pasar miedo, no.
Lo dejo en la página 112.
Yo buscaba relatos de terror mezclados con folclore japonés, y de lo primero apenas he encontrado nada. Son más textos informativos (narrados con un halo de misterio... sí, pero nada más) sobre el "Japón fantasmal". Yo diría que este libro es un conjunto de ensayos con algún cuento por ahí.
Y es que la editorial dice, literalmente: "una colección de cuentos del Más Allá para noches de insomnio" y bueno, no creo que sea cierto, puesto que yo leyendo uno en especial (El Incienso) casi me quedo dormida, así que consiguió el efecto contrario.
Si buscáis leer algo con lo que aprender sobre folclore japonés, éste es vuestro libro.
Si queréis leer sobre fantasmas y pasar miedo, no.
Lo dejo en la página 112.
July 13, 2016
Pretty good. Not gonna write an elaborate review. Listened to the whole book on Libravox while doing manual tasks: https://librivox.org/in-ghostly-japan... The best chapters were the ones which were actual horror stories. Ingwa-Banashi, A Passional Karma, pt 1 and 2, and maybe one or 2 im forgetting. The Buddhist proverbs and bits of poetry were kind of nice too. A lot of this book is premised in Buddhist culture, as opposed to Shinto. I don't know how representative this is of archaic Japanese "horror", but it certainly is entertaining. Its not really a horror text though. If anything it is merely strange or weird.
May 4, 2014
More a philosophical and spiritual musing on the supernatural stories of Japan than a collection of ghost stories, In Ghostly Japan by Lafcadio Hearn is beautifully written and wonderfully thought-provoking.
The text leans heavily into the doctrines of Buddhism, but with a clear, Western interpretation and consideration. Despite not totally living up to its name (think more anecdotes, rather than actual ghost stories), In Ghostly Japan is still worth a read for its cultural relevance, as well as Hearn's unique and powerful imagery.
There are a couple of short ghost stories in the collection, but most lend themselves to 'impressions' of ghosts rather than full-on haunting, so if that is what you are looking for, you won't find it here. As well, some background in the language of culture of Japan will greatly increase your enjoyment, as there are not enough footnotes or translations of certain pivotal words (like sen for money) to make the work abundantly clear. Also, as I mentioned, the book leans on Buddhism for most if its readings, so be aware of that going in.
A book I would happily pick up for a second or third reading.
The text leans heavily into the doctrines of Buddhism, but with a clear, Western interpretation and consideration. Despite not totally living up to its name (think more anecdotes, rather than actual ghost stories), In Ghostly Japan is still worth a read for its cultural relevance, as well as Hearn's unique and powerful imagery.
There are a couple of short ghost stories in the collection, but most lend themselves to 'impressions' of ghosts rather than full-on haunting, so if that is what you are looking for, you won't find it here. As well, some background in the language of culture of Japan will greatly increase your enjoyment, as there are not enough footnotes or translations of certain pivotal words (like sen for money) to make the work abundantly clear. Also, as I mentioned, the book leans on Buddhism for most if its readings, so be aware of that going in.
A book I would happily pick up for a second or third reading.
August 7, 2014
A true miscellany. This is a collection of short pieces, some of them folktales, from Japan. There really doesn't seem to be much connection between them other than the translator. Hearn apparently had wide-ranging interests, and a ghost story may be followed by a discussion of Buddhism or haiku or a treatise on games played with incense or just about anything. This book is, perhaps, best dipped into rather than read straight through. Parts of it are fascinating, but as a whole it's a bit bewildering.
May 27, 2008
This is an odd hodgepodge of essays and recollections by Hearn, a European who became a Japanese citizen in the late 19th century. Although there are one or two ghost stories, in the Western sense, the book focuses more on the occult and spiritual aspects of Japanese culture, including a collection of Buddhist proverbs. I had intended to read this while I was on vacation in Kyoto, but never had much time. It was a great way to "revisit" my trip a month or so later.
November 16, 2022
Se me hizo un poco lento pero es interesante leer sobre
la cultura y tradiciones de otros países.
la cultura y tradiciones de otros países.
October 14, 2015
El japón Fantasmal nos trae una serie de leyendas
del antiguo japón donde nos muestra parte de su
gran cultura al igual que muchas de sus tradiciones,
es un libro donde descubrirás las bellezas de la
cultura japonesa y sentirás por medio del misterio
una gran expectación hacia sus tradiciones
Es un compendio de historias con un toque de misterio
entrelazadas con la vida,costumbres y tradiciones del
japón que nos llevaran de la mano para conocer un poco
mas de este increíble y rico país.
Este libro es para personas con interés en
culturas diferentes de las nuestras,gente que desea
conocer mas, si no eres de ese tipo de gente es probable que el
libro se te haga pesado y te llegue a aburrir
Tiene un 4 porque hay un punto(un par de paginas) donde
se me hizo un poco pesado a mi modo de ver.
del antiguo japón donde nos muestra parte de su
gran cultura al igual que muchas de sus tradiciones,
es un libro donde descubrirás las bellezas de la
cultura japonesa y sentirás por medio del misterio
una gran expectación hacia sus tradiciones
Es un compendio de historias con un toque de misterio
entrelazadas con la vida,costumbres y tradiciones del
japón que nos llevaran de la mano para conocer un poco
mas de este increíble y rico país.
Este libro es para personas con interés en
culturas diferentes de las nuestras,gente que desea
conocer mas, si no eres de ese tipo de gente es probable que el
libro se te haga pesado y te llegue a aburrir
Tiene un 4 porque hay un punto(un par de paginas) donde
se me hizo un poco pesado a mi modo de ver.
January 9, 2022
This book was not what I expected at all, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I downloaded this on one of my frequent free-book-download sprees, thinking it was a collection of Japanese ghost stories. While there are a couple ghost stories included, the book is more about Japanese culture and traditions and the author's experiences living in Japan.
I particularly enjoyed Incense, especially the part about incense parties, which sound like fun, Silkworms, The Peony Lantern, Ululation, Bits of Poetry, Japanese Buddhist Proverbs, and At Yaidzu. I found great, thought-provoking observations from the author in the pieces about his time in the country and interesting information about the Japanese Buddhist culture.
If you're interested in learning more about Japan's culture, traditions, and stories, this is a great book.
I downloaded this on one of my frequent free-book-download sprees, thinking it was a collection of Japanese ghost stories. While there are a couple ghost stories included, the book is more about Japanese culture and traditions and the author's experiences living in Japan.
I particularly enjoyed Incense, especially the part about incense parties, which sound like fun, Silkworms, The Peony Lantern, Ululation, Bits of Poetry, Japanese Buddhist Proverbs, and At Yaidzu. I found great, thought-provoking observations from the author in the pieces about his time in the country and interesting information about the Japanese Buddhist culture.
If you're interested in learning more about Japan's culture, traditions, and stories, this is a great book.
June 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this collection of creepy, ghostly, spooky short stories from Japan. I love learning new stories from different cultures, and seeing how they are similar to and different from those of my own. I think one of my favorite stories was Furisode about a robe "...said to have once caused the destruction of Tokyo." I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Edelweiss for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
May 19, 2017
El libro cuenta con detalles bastante curiosos sobre Japón, un Japón que posiblemente ya no existe ahora y hasta el mismo autor lo remarca constantemente cuando describe festividades y costumbres.
El libro lo sentí bastante disperso, a veces hasta sentí que intentaba venderme productos japoneses.
Me encantó como termina con una analogía entre el mar y la música, el miedo y la vida.
El libro lo sentí bastante disperso, a veces hasta sentí que intentaba venderme productos japoneses.
Me encantó como termina con una analogía entre el mar y la música, el miedo y la vida.
March 8, 2015
Wonderful, and wonderfully read by the good folk at librivox
January 16, 2018
El título es totalmente engañoso. Propiamente "fantasmales" únicamente hay dos o tres relatos. El resto son reflexiones sobre el budismo, incluyendo aforismos y leyendas.
November 18, 2023
Recopilacion de leyendas, usos y costumbres japonesas en torno la muerte. Tal cuál no son cuentos, es variado el estilo, poesía, filosofía, tradición oral, todo muy interesante si te llama la atención la cultura japonesa.
January 20, 2009
This was the second collection of Lafcadio Hearn's writings that I've read, and I have to say that it's not as successful as Kwaidan.
Of course, this is probably due to the fact that Kwaidan's generally more skewed towards the storytelling side of things. In Ghostly Japan is more interested in analysing parts of the Japanese culture rather than attempting to convey some feelings of spookiness.
Spookiness isn't really in this collection of stories - like Kwaidan, it focuses more on the mysterious side of life, in an everyday day - that is, when it's not discussing the completely everyday. Interestingly, it's these that provide more interest; the writing on Buddhist proverbs and on incense prove a little more interesting than the truly ectoplasmic tales.
It's still worth a read, however; Hearn's prose is subtle and sensitive.
Of course, this is probably due to the fact that Kwaidan's generally more skewed towards the storytelling side of things. In Ghostly Japan is more interested in analysing parts of the Japanese culture rather than attempting to convey some feelings of spookiness.
Spookiness isn't really in this collection of stories - like Kwaidan, it focuses more on the mysterious side of life, in an everyday day - that is, when it's not discussing the completely everyday. Interestingly, it's these that provide more interest; the writing on Buddhist proverbs and on incense prove a little more interesting than the truly ectoplasmic tales.
It's still worth a read, however; Hearn's prose is subtle and sensitive.
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