Various (Editor: Higashi, Masao) - Kaiki: Uncanny Tales from Japan Vol 1

Tales old and new, yet all set in the era of Old Edo (pre-Tokyo). Masao provides a lengthy and sterling introduction to this collection, which leads into the opening essay by Lafcadio Hearn arguing for the value of supernatural fiction.

Early on, there are three very brief tales, appetizers. The book finishes with three brief mangas. In between, riches.

All new girls must spend a night in “The Futon Room”. The household of saki merchants has always been prosperous, yet the succession of male owners have seldom lived long. Hand in hand with this mysterious coincidence is the secluded storage room.

For the complete anglers among you, “The Pointer” provides buckets of fishing tips, lore, as well as a magnificent bamboo rod.

“The Inō Residence” finds a young samurai contesting with a ghost or demon or spirit, one trying to drive him from his house. Fleeing would cost face. Terrors and struggles vary from night to night, and are detailed in sequential chapters.

The young woman has shown up lost, without a memory. Her lone recall is that she came “Through The Wooden Gate”. She is a strange creature, somewhat fey, yet everyone takes a liking to her, especially Seishirō, who seems destined for advancement. A wistful tale, quietly exposing how fleeting time and experiences are.