Kokoro: Hints and Echoes of Japanese Inner Life

Lafcadio Hearn (1850 - 1904)

In an introductory paragraph, Lafcadio Hearn declares his intention: "The papers composing this volume treat of the inner rather than of the outer life of Japan, for which reason they have been grouped under the title Kokoro (heart). Written with the above character, this word signifies also mind, in the emotional sense; spirit; courage; resolve; sentiment; affection; and inner meaning, just as we say in English, "the heart of things."" The result is a highly eclectic collection of stories, diary entries, cultural essays, and collected traditional texts that illustrate not only the state of Japanese society in the 1890s but also the endlessly fascinating issue of the intersection of cultures as demonstrated in a Westerner's interpretations of what he observed in Japan. As much is revealed about the Western mind as the Japanese mind whenever such an intersection occurs. - Summary by Expatriate

Genre(s): Essays & Short Works, Travel & Geography

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 At a Railway Station Expatriate
00:07:51
Play 02 The Genius of Japanese Civilization, Pt. 1 Expatriate
00:22:10
Play 03 The Genius of Japanese Civilization, Pt. 2 Expatriate
00:18:14
Play 04 A Street Singer Expatriate
00:08:15
Play 05 From a Traveling Diary Expatriate
00:27:49
Play 06 The Nun of the Temple of Amida Expatriate
00:16:42
Play 07 After the War Expatriate
00:25:25
Play 08 Haru Expatriate
00:12:14
Play 09 A Glimpse of Tendencies, Pt. 1 Expatriate
00:22:03
Play 10 A Glimpse of Tendencies, Pt. 2 Expatriate
00:20:26
Play 11 By Force of Karma Expatriate
00:16:53
Play 12 A Conservative, Pt. 1 Expatriate
00:22:00
Play 13 A Conservative, Pt. 2 Expatriate
00:26:21
Play 14 In the Twilight of the Gods Expatriate
00:12:59
Play 15 The Idea of Pre-Existence, Pt. 1 Expatriate
00:23:47
Play 16 The Idea of Pre-Existence, Pt. 2 Expatriate
00:22:30
Play 17 In Cholera-Time Expatriate
00:09:41
Play 18 Some Thoughts About Ancestor-Worship, Pt. 1 Expatriate
00:24:43
Play 19 Some Thoughts About Ancestor-Worship, Pt. 2 Expatriate
00:24:43
Play 20 Kimiko Expatriate
00:21:38
Play 21 Appendix 1: Three Popular Ballads (Intro.) Expatriate
00:18:21
Play 22 Appendix 2: The Ballad of Shuntoku-Maru Expatriate
00:22:18
Play 23 Appendix 3: The Ballad of Oguri-Hangwan, Pt. 1 Expatriate
00:21:58
Play 24 Appendix 3: The Ballad of Oguri-Hangwan, Pt. 2 Expatriate
00:23:50
Play 25 Appendix 4: The Ballad of O-Shichi, the Daughter of the Yaoya Expatriate
00:04:26