Such an intriguing collection of classic Japanese ghost stories that were told, retold and firstly written in books by Lefcafio Hearn, Yei Theodora Ozaki and Richard Gordon Smith in the 1900s. A compilation of 26 tales in total, I love how it sneaked into the traditional Japanese customs and culture while compellingly grasped the authentic supernatural and surreal details of its local folklores and sinister legends. The stories were mainly revolved on lifestyle, of marriage, greed or wicked wild dreams and premonitions, superstitious and religious beliefs as well on one’s frame of mind and selfishness; so compellingly crafted to me and I guess it was meant to be enjoyably short and quite straightforward for how these stories were purposely written by these authors to introduce the folktales and myths of Japan to the Western readers.

Not too ghostly or hauntingly narrated yet the spookish dark hue in its tales having that addictive appeal which kept me invested. Few that I personally love— Ghost Story Of The Flute’s Tomb (in between sincerity and trust; a spirit wandered to avenge the unfaithful wife), Of A Promise Broken (a deadly curse in return for a promise— love the footnote of how it argued that the vengeance should be taken upon the man yet it was not the way a woman would feels), The Tongue-Cut Sparrow (a lovely story of a pet sparrow and a man until a greedy wife interfered), The Legend Of Yurei-Daki (what you’ll get after stealing a money box at a shrine) and The Camphor Tree Tomb (of greed and evil scheme to cut a holy tree that ended in an awful tragedy).

Fairly love the rest as much for how each having its charm in observing the rich culture and the engaging exploration to the folktales; the morals can be both disturbing and affecting but overall it was a fun and absorbing read to me. So highly recommended!

Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me this hardback edition in return for my review!