I'm not sure specifically which 'promise' by Lafcadio Hearn this refers to. He was known for his works on Japanese culture. Maybe it was a promise related to his research and documentation of some aspect of Japanese life or tradition.
One possibility is that it was a personal promise. He may have made a vow to himself to explore and understand different cultures to the fullest extent. This could have led to his in - depth research and writing. His own journey of self - discovery through different cultures could have been driven by a promise he made to himself to keep an open mind and constantly learn. And as he learned, he promised to share his knowledge and experiences through his writing.
They are often very atmospheric. For instance, in his stories, the settings are described in great detail, like the old Japanese houses or the misty landscapes, which immediately create a spooky feeling.
One common theme is the exploration of the supernatural. In many of his short stories, Hearn delves into elements like ghosts, spirits, and otherworldly phenomena. For example, in some stories, he describes the encounters of characters with mysterious apparitions. Another theme is cultural exploration. Given his own experiences in different cultures, he often writes about the unique cultural aspects, traditions, and beliefs of the places he has been, which is vividly depicted in his short stories.
A promise kept can be as simple as a friend promising to meet you at a certain time and actually showing up. For example, my friend once promised to help me move. On the day of the move, he was there early, ready to carry boxes and furniture. It was a small promise but it meant a great deal to me as it showed his reliability and loyalty. It strengthened our friendship.
Lafcadio Hearn's 'The Dream of Akinosuke' is a remarkable ghost story. It takes the reader into a dream - like world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. The story is filled with rich cultural elements from Japan, where Hearn often drew inspiration from, and his use of vivid imagery makes it truly memorable.
A neighbor could promise to look after your plants while you are on vacation. Every day, they water the plants, make sure they get enough sunlight, and even remove any dead leaves. When you return, your plants are healthy and thriving. It's a simple but heartwarming example of a promise kept.
He collected them through his immersion in Japanese culture. He lived in Japan and interacted with the local people. He likely heard these stories from storytellers, or perhaps from his friends and neighbors. He was interested in the local folklore and made an effort to document these stories as accurately as possible.
Well, first of all, the cultural fusion in these stories is fascinating. Lafcadio Hearn, as a Westerner, was able to blend his own perspective with Japanese culture so well. In the Japanese Ghost Stories, we can see how the Japanese view of the afterlife and the existence of spirits is different from Western ideas. The ghosts in these stories are not just spooky figures but are deeply intertwined with the social fabric of Japanese society. They can be vengeful because of some wrong done to them in life, or they can be benevolent, guiding lost souls. This complexity of the characters in the ghost stories makes them stand out.
Lafcadio Hearn had a great interest in Japanese culture. He interacted with many Japanese people. He probably visited different regions in Japan where he got to hear unique versions of ghost stories. He might have also consulted local scholars or those well - versed in Japanese folklore to collect and compile the stories for his book. His ability to understand and appreciate the Japanese way of life was crucial in gathering these stories.