This 1897 collection focuses on Hearn's perceptions of his newly adopted country of Japan through the lens of Buddhism. His beautiful musings on the juxtaposition between a childrens playground and death vivify the Buddhist idea of dying.  His reminiscence on a trip to Kyoto places the reader there, and his meditation on Nirvana is amazingly clear.

Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), also known as Koizumi Yakumo, was born in Greece, raised in Ireland, spent years in America, and finally became a citizen of Japan.  A journalist and translator, he played a major role in introducing Japanese culture to the West.  His translations of Japanese fairy tales and ghost stories were especially influential.