Translated selections from: Kokoro, Exotics and retrospectives, In ghostly Japan, and Kotto.

Release date is 2023-06-21

Lafcadio Hearn / Yrjö Hirn -- Vanhoillinen (A conservative) -- Karman voimasta (By force of Karma) -- Amidan temppelin nunna (The nun of the temple of Amida) -- Kimiko -- Haru -- Parfum de jeunesse -- Katkelma (A fragment) -- Yöulvoja koira (Ululation) -- Kusa-Hibari -- Yaidzussa (At Yaidzu).

Jari Koivisto

"Idän ääreltä: Kuvia ja luonnoksia Japanista" by Lafcadio Hearn is a collection of essays and sketches about Japan, written in the late 19th century. This work explores Hearn's fascination with Japanese culture and beliefs, shedding light on the unique landscapes, traditions, and spiritual practices of Japan. Through his observations, the author reveals the depth of his admiration for the country that he came to regard as his true home. The opening of the work begins by introducing Lafcadio Hearn and his background, highlighting his mixed Irish and Greek ancestry, as well as his diverse upbringing. It provides insight into his early life, including his strict upbringing as a samurai's son, offering rich context about the cultural and societal frameworks that shaped both his life and writings. Hearn's narrative reveals his journey to Japan, his encounters with its people, and his efforts to immerse himself in their traditions and philosophies, making it integral to understanding the profound appreciation this author has for the land he adopted as his own. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Finland: Yrjö Weilin, 1906