Kotto: Being Japanese Curios, with Sundry Cobwebs

audiobook

Kotto: Being Japanese Curios, with Sundry Cobwebs

by Lafcadio Hearn

EN·~3 hours

Chapters

Description

A charming assortment of Japanese folk tales, this collection offers listeners a glimpse into the eerie and whimsical world of old village legends. From ghost‑haunted waterfalls to mischievous spirits lurking in everyday objects, each story reveals the superstitions and moral lessons that shaped rural life centuries ago.

One standout tale follows a determined mother, O‑Katsu, who volunteers to brave the infamous Yurei‑Daki waterfall after her fellow workers wager her their day’s hemp. Her nocturnal trek through frozen fields and echoing cliffs culminates in a tense encounter with an unseen voice, testing both courage and maternal devotion.

The remaining narratives range from humble anecdotes about tea and fireflies to unsettling encounters with shape‑shifting apparitions, all illustrated with delicate artwork that brings the myths to life. Listeners will be drawn into a world where the ordinary and the uncanny intertwine, inviting both wonder and reflection.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~3 hours (203K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Marc D'Hooghe at Free Literature (online soon in an extended version,also linking to free sources for education worldwide ... MOOC's, educational materials,...) Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)

Release date

2017-09-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Lafcadio Hearn

Lafcadio Hearn

1850–1904

Best known for bringing Japanese legends and ghost stories to English-language readers, this globe-trotting writer turned close observation into vivid, atmospheric prose. His work still feels fresh for the way it blends travel writing, folklore, and a deep curiosity about everyday life.

View all books