Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things

The term kwaidan in Japanese refers to strange or supernatural stories and the book is a compilation of such tales that Hearn collected and adapted from Japanese folklore. These stories are steeped in the traditions and supernatural beliefs of Japan and are often characterized by eerie atmospheres and elements of the supernatural.Some of the stories in Kwaidan include:The Story of Mimi-Nashi-Hoichi: This tale tells of a blind musician who unwittingly becomes the target of vengeful spirits from the past.Yuki-Onna (The Snow Woman): This story features a ghostly woman who appears on snowy nights luring travelers to their doom.Jikininki (The Goblin of Adachigahara): It explores the lives of goblin-like creatures who feast on the corpses of the recently deceased.The Mujina (The Badger): This story revolves around a mysterious encounter with a creature that appears to be a human but lacks facial features.In addition to the ghost stories Kwaidan includes essays and observations by Lafcadio Hearn about various aspects of Japanese culture folklore and superstitions. Hearn's writing reflects his fascination with Japan and its rich cultural heritage.