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). In these collected articles by Lafcadio Hearn, the author recounts a number of Japanese stories and observations on life in Japan in an attempt to get to the heart of things. Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (27 June 1850 - 26 September 1904), kwn also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, was an international writer, kwn best for his books about Japan, especially his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories.