Deriving its title from the word for "ghost story" in Japanese Kwaidan is a compilation of supernatural tales from Japan. Hearn writes in his introduction, written only months before his death, that the majority of the stories were translated from old Japanese texts (some of which themselves were based on earlier Chinese tales), although one of the stories, "Riki-Baka," he declares to be of his own making, based on a personal experience. Unmentioned in the introduction, another of the stories - "Hi-Mawari", written in the ...
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Deriving its title from the word for "ghost story" in Japanese Kwaidan is a compilation of supernatural tales from Japan. Hearn writes in his introduction, written only months before his death, that the majority of the stories were translated from old Japanese texts (some of which themselves were based on earlier Chinese tales), although one of the stories, "Riki-Baka," he declares to be of his own making, based on a personal experience. Unmentioned in the introduction, another of the stories - "Hi-Mawari", written in the first person - appears almost certainly to be born from his own experience also, a recollection of a childhood experience in Wales. Among the many curious happenings related in the other stories, we read of man-eating goblins, a musician who performs for the dead, a mysterious face appearing in a cup of tea, and, rather terrifyingly, a featureless girl with a face as smooth as an egg. The final section of the book, "Insect-Studies," presents Chinese and Japanese superstitions relating to the insect world: butterflies (personifications of the human soul), mosquitoes (karmic reincarnations of jealous or greedy people), and ants (humanity's superior in chastity, ethics, social structure, longevity, and evolution). Vastly different from ghost stories in the West, this collection will haunt your dreams and leave you shivering in the dark.
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Add this copy of Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things to cart. $10.60, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Waking Lion Press.
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Add this copy of Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things to cart. $13.79, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Waking Lion Press.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 158 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things to cart. $13.93, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Waking Lion Press.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 158 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things to cart. $19.30, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2023 by Waking Lion Press.
I've read a few books about Japanese folktales, ghost stories and such, and this is my most favorite one in the meantime. It's a classic but easy to read, and the author told it in a way like jotting down his personal journey. Many explanation, good sense of humor, and well selected stories. A good book to read if you just get to know 'kwaidan' things.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in this topic : )
