Reviews

Three Tales of Mystery and Imagination -- Japanese Gothic by Kyōka Izumi, Charles Shiro Inouye

jameseckman's review

3.0

These stories remind me a bit of Nathaniel Hawthorne's works. Very atmospheric and discursive. These aren't stories about creepy monsters but more about people lost in a bizarre world with a society that punishes love and women. I don't recommend this as a first Japanese literature read, Kobo Abe or Natsume Sōseki may be a better choice. For ghosties and ghoulies, Hearn's Kwaidan is very accessible and widely available.