The Kwaidan of the Lady of Tamiya

First published in 2001. Kwaidan are what Lafcadio Hearn calls 'stories and studies of strange things' - eerie tales which convey the enduring mystery of traditional Japanese culture and the world of the samurai. In this volume, de Benneville's rendition of the Yotsuya Kwaidan of Shunkintei Ryuo paints a picture of life in the capital city of Edo among the samurai of the highest class, jostling for power at the court of the Shogun. At the heart of the story is the Lady of Tamiya, a daughter of the samurai who is sold by her brutal husband into the floating world of brothels, from which she escapes only in death. Thereafter, the Lady is avenged as mis-forutune relentlessly overtakes all who betrayed her, and she is still remembered today in a Tokyo shrine popular with women who seek her protection. More than any history, kwaidan reveal the inner morality of the samurai code.

Chapter I O'Mino and Densuké; Chapter II Kawai San of Kandu Ku; Chapter III Takahashi Daihachir?; Chapter IV The Appearance of O'Iwa San; Chapter V 1A deep cutting through the hill. They are common features in Nippon. Many valleys are only accessible by a climb, unless mitigated by a kirid?shi, or obviated by a tunnel. Kamakura, for instance, is accessible by land in no other way. Asahina kirid?shi: there are several others; chapter VI Negotiations: The Business of a Marriage Broker (Nak?do); chapter VII Iémon Appears; chapter VIII If Old Acquaintance be Forgot; Chapter IX Love Knots; Chapter X The Plot Against O'Iwa; Chapter XI The Plot Develops; Chapter XII Kwaiba's Revenge; Chapter XIII The Y?Taka (Night-Hawks) of Honj?; Chapter XIV The Punishment; Chapter XV Ch?bei Gets the News; Chapter XVI News Reaches Kwaiba; Chapter XVII News from Kwaiba; Chapter XVIII In The Shadow of the Go-Inky?; Chapter XIX Tamiya Yoémon: With News of Kond? Roku-Robei and Myozen The Priest; Chapter XX Kibei Dono; Chapter XXI Matters Ecclesiastical; Chapter XXII The Rites for O'Iwa San; Chapter XXIII Sanzugawa Bridgeless: The Flowerless Road Traversed by the Dead;