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Shadowings cover

Shadowings

A varied collection of translated folktales, cultural studies, and imaginative sketches that mix supernatural narrative with ethnographic observation. The stories recount melancholic and uncanny encounters shaped by ritual, memory, and longing; the essays consider naming customs, old songs, and natural curiosities such as insects; and the fantasies offer dreamlike experiments in mood and perception. Across these sections a quiet, ritualized atmosphere and a sensitivity to small details unify the pieces, blending folkloric material, personal reflection, and poetic evocation of the uncanny.

By Lafcadio Hearn
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Essays, Letters & SpeechesMythology, Legends & FolkloreShort Stories

About This Book

A varied collection of translated folktales, cultural studies, and imaginative sketches that mix supernatural narrative with ethnographic observation. The stories recount melancholic and uncanny encounters shaped by ritual, memory, and longing; the essays consider naming customs, old songs, and natural curiosities such as insects; and the fantasies offer dreamlike experiments in mood and perception. Across these sections a quiet, ritualized atmosphere and a sensitivity to small details unify the pieces, blending folkloric material, personal reflection, and poetic evocation of the uncanny.

About the Author

Hearn, Lafcadio portrait

Lafcadio Hearn

Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) was a writer and journalist known for his profound exploration of Japanese culture and folklore. Born in Greece and raised in Ireland, he later moved to the United States before settling in Japan, where he became a naturalized citizen. Hearn's works often reflect his fascination with the spiritual and mystical aspects of Japanese life. His notable books include "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan," which offers insights into the country's traditions and customs, and "In Ghostly Japan," a collection of essays on Japanese ghost stories and supernatural themes. Hearn's unique perspective has contributed significantly to the understanding of Japan in the West.

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