Kwaidan

Kwaidan is a book by Lafcadio Hearn, first published in 1904. This haunting collection of Japanese ghost stories and supernatural tales draws from traditional folklore, Buddhist legends, and oral storytelling traditions, offering a vivid glimpse into the spiritual imagination of old Japan.

Written during Hearn’s years living in Japan, the book preserves eerie and poetic tales of spirits, yōkai, and the afterlife, while also reflecting the author’s deep reverence for Japanese culture and aesthetics. Each story carries a sense of otherworldliness and moral depth, blending quiet beauty with moments of horror.

Hearn’s sensitive literary approach helped introduce Japanese folklore to Western audiences at a time when such material was little known outside Japan. Kwaidan remains an influential work in literary and cultural circles, inspiring later adaptations in film, art, and literature.