Japanese Ghost Stories

Lafcadio Hearn's Japanese ghost stories are retold, featuring revengeful spirits, animated paintings, spectral brides, and a priest who consumes human flesh. Drawing on traditional folklore, they blend Hearn's memories of his haunted childhood in Ireland to create chilling tales of supernatural power. Regarded as classics in Japan.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

In these spine-tingling Japanese ghost stories, retold by a master of the supernatural, the dead seek revenge on the living. Paintings come alive, spectral brides possess mortal men, and a priest devours human flesh. Lafcadio Hearn, inspired by the phantoms and ghouls of traditional Japanese folklore, infused them with his own memories of a haunted childhood in nineteenth-century Ireland. The result is a collection of terrifying tales that possess striking and eerie power. Today, these stories are regarded as classics in Japan, captivating audiences with their haunting narratives.

The Headless Rokuro-Kubi:

A mysterious creature known as the rokuro-kubi is said to roam the countryside, its headless body dragging along behind it. It is a vengeful spirit, seeking retribution for its decapitation. One day, a young man encounters the rokuro-kubi while walking through a forest. The creature senses his presence and begins to chase him. The man runs as fast as he can, but the rokuro-kubi is relentless. Finally, he reaches a temple and seeks refuge there. The priest of the temple, aware of the rokuro-kubi's power, offers to help the man. He performs a ritual to exorcise the spirit, and the rokuro-kubi is finally vanquished. The man is grateful to the priest for his help, and he leaves the temple with a newfound respect for the supernatural.

The Monstrous Goblins Jikininki:

In a small village, a group of goblins known as the jikininki terrorize the residents. They are hideous creatures, with grotesque faces and bodies. They steal food, terrorize children, and cause general chaos. One day, a young girl encounters the jikininki while walking home from school. They chase her through the streets, and she is terrified. She seeks help from her family and friends, but no one believes her. Finally, she meets a wise old man who tells her about the jikininki. He tells her that they are the spirits of those who have died unjustly and that they can be defeated with the help of a special talisman. The girl collects the talisman and confronts the jikininki. They fight, and the girl is able to defeat them with the help of her friends. The jikininki are banished from the village, and the residents are able to live in peace once again.

The Faceless Mujina:

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, a mysterious woman known as the mujina lurks in the shadows. She is a faceless spirit, unable to manifest herself physically. She stalks the neighborhood, watching the residents and waiting for her chance to strike. One day, a young couple moves into the neighborhood. They are new to the area, and they are unaware of the mujina's presence. The mujina begins to target them, watching them from the shadows and making strange noises. The couple is terrified, and they cannot understand what is happening. They seek help from their neighbors, but no one believes them. Finally, they meet a wise old man who tells them about the mujina. He tells them that the mujina is the spirit of a woman who died tragically and that she is unable to find peace until she is reunited with her lost love. The couple sets out to find the mujina's lost love, and they eventually find him. The mujina is able to find peace, and the couple is able to move on with their lives.

Conclusion:

These chilling Japanese ghost stories retold by Lafcadio Hearn showcase the power of the supernatural and the dangers of ignoring the unknown. They remind us that there are forces beyond our control, and that sometimes, the only way to survive is to confront our fears and embrace the unknown. Whether it is the headless rokuro-kubi, the monstrous jikininki, or the faceless mujina, these stories have a timeless quality that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 198 x 123 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241675298