The Folio Society is releasing a lavish new hardcover edition of Lafcadio Hearn's short story collection, Japanese Ghost Stories, with preorders opening on October 13. The collection will feature illustrations by Yuko Shimizu, known for her work on The Unwritten.
Japanese Ghost Stories includes a translation by Royall Tyler and a new introduction by Japanese novelist Yoko Ogawa. The book contains twenty tales drawn from traditional Japanese folklore, such as "The Story of Aoyagi," "Oshidori," "The Dream of Akinosuké," and "Rokuro-Kubi." These stories delve into themes of revenge from the dead, living paintings, spectral possessions, and monstrous creatures like the headless rokuro-kubi and the flesh-eating jikininki.
Folio Society Editor Mandy Kirby stated that the edition offers a modern twist on Hearn's 19th-century tales, which are culturally significant in Japan. Kirby noted that Shimizu's illustrations blend traditional Japanese art styles with contemporary touches, particularly on the cover.
In addition to Japanese Ghost Stories, The Folio Society also recently released a deluxe edition of Anthony Bourdain's memoir Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.