Earlier this week, a mysterious box arrived right on my doorstep. When I saw the package was from The Folio Society, my excitement grew instantly. A week ago, I reported on the launch of the stunning volume Japanese Ghost Stories, and I hoped it was a copy. It was. The book’s online promotional images looked absolutely mesmerizing. Therefore, I decided to film a complete unboxing video for readers to enjoy.
Classical Folklore Tales Come Alive
This new edition compiles twenty haunting tales translated by nineteenth-century writer Lafcadio Hearn. The deluxe release also features breathtaking original artwork by award-winning artist Yuko Shimizu. Novelist Yoko Ogawa also contributed a thoughtful new introduction. As a result, the collection captures ancient Japan’s haunted atmosphere through classic supernatural folklore. Readers will encounter vengeful phantoms along with flesh-devouring priests. Iconic monsters like flying heads and faceless stalkers also lurk within these pages. Notable stories include The Story of Aoyagi, Oshidori, The Dream of Akinosuké, and Rokuro-Kubi. The volume is ideal for folklore aficionados, J-horror enthusiasts, and literary collectors.
Honoring the Legacy of Lafcadio Hearn
Born in Greece, Hearn emigrated to Japan in 1890 and adopted the name Koizumi Yakumo. Dedicated to preserving regional beliefs, he created groundbreaking anthologies for Western readers. His famous nineteenth-century collections remain widely celebrated across Japan today. Similarly, this edition honors Hearn’s visionary legacy by preserving his original translations for modern audiences.
Traditional Artwork Meets Contemporary Design
Artist Yuko Shimizu designed five double-page spreads, a frontispiece, endpapers, and a custom slipcase. Inspired by Edo-period picture books, Shimizu blended historical aesthetics with digital sensibilities. Moreover, Japanese calligrapher Ai Tatebayashi created custom character lettering for the page margins. Shimizu previously illustrated acclaimed titles such as The Cat Man of Aleppo and Barbed Wire Baseball. Her portfolio also includes Michael Cunningham’s A Wild Swan and Godzilla: The Official Pop-Up Book. Notably, this release marks Shimizu’s third major project with The Folio Society. She previously illustrated Japanese Tales and The Great Gatsby for the publisher.
Stunning Production Value Exceeds High Expectations
From the moment I opened the shipping box, the presentation completely stunned me. The outer black slipcase features a clever die-cut opening shaped like a hand mirror. It reveals the book cover beneath. This unique design element offers fantastic protection while creating an engaging visual surprise. The cover also features a striking spirit illustration that flows smoothly onto the spine and back cover. The vibrant purple-and-teal palette looks exceptionally vivid in person.
Inside, the full-bleed two-page artwork spreads are equally gorgeous and completely frame-worthy. Meanwhile, the tales speak of ancient spirits that still shadow Japanese traditions and superstitions. Ultimately, Japanese Ghost Stories is a magnificent volume that deserves a prominent spot on your bookshelf. The nearly 200-page hardcover edition is now available exclusively on The Folio Society website.
