lafcadio hearn glimpses of unfamiliar japan

The Japanese character and the Japanese tradition are still fundamentally the same as Hearn found them to be, and for this reason his writing is still extremely revealing to modern readers. Here, for example, are essays on such subjects as the Japanese garden, the household shrine, the festivals, and the bewildering Japanese smile-all aspects of Japanese life that have endured in spite of the changes that have taken place during the modernization of Japan. In the pages of this book are the customs, the superstitions, the charming scenery, the revelations of Japanese character, and all the other elements that Lafcadio Hearn found so bewitching.

The modern reader can still, through these pages, experience that 'first charm of Japan, intangible and volatile as a perfume.' Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan combines two volumes of a work that first appeared in 1894. Though Lafcadio Hearn went on to write a dozen more books on Japan, this collection of first impressions remains his most popular.Īmong the reasons is that here, more than anywhere else, the author most vividly captured a place that so affected him that he stayed for the rest of his life. I ship within 1-2 days of receiving your payment (Monday through Friday).This is a complete, two-volume set of one of the greatest books on 19th century Japanese history and culture. I believe these are first edition copies since the only books listed on the page opposite the title page of Volume 1 are this book and 'Stray Leaves From Strange Literature,' which was published in 1884. This set of books was Lafcadio Hearn's first writings about Japan and were based on his impressions during his first few years in Japan (1890-1893). There is some slight discoloration along the spine on a few of the pages, presumably due to moisture (see photos). Inside, the bindings are firm and the pages are clean, with the exception of some marks and previous owners' signatures on the front end papers. Set of two used hardcovers with no dust jacketĬondition: VERY GOOD - The green and silver covers shows some light surface wear and with lightly bumped corners and slightly more wear to the top and bottom of the spine. Published by: Houghton, Mifflin and Company Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan (Volumes One and Two)

Lafcadio hearn glimpses of unfamiliar japan