Mujina by Lafcadio Hearn (1896)
The story revolves around a young woman who lives with her husband and son in a rural village. She is known for her exceptional beauty and kindness. However, she is also haunted by the spirit of a dead man, which manifests itself through various supernatural events. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the woman's life is being manipulated by the vengeful spirit, who seeks to destroy her family. The villagers are aware of the spirit's presence but are powerless to stop its malevolent actions. The narrative builds towards a tragic conclusion as the woman's husband and son become increasingly entangled in the supernatural events.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1896 · Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Gothic · 772 words
First lines
On the Akasaka Road, in Tōkyō, there is a slope called Kii-no-kuni-zaka,-which means the Slope of the Province of Kii. I do not know why it is called the Slope of the Province of Kii. On one side of this slope you see an ancient moat, deep and very wide, with high green banks rising up to some place of gardens; -and on the other side of the road extend the long and lofty walls of an imperial palace. Before the era of street-lamps and jinrikishas, this neighborhood was very lonesome after dark; and belated pedestrians would go miles out of their way rather than mount the Kii-no-kuni-zaka, alone, after sunset.
All because of a Mujina that used to walk there. (1)
What this Textopian page supports
Mujina is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lafcadio Hearn
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Gothic, Folklore, Psychological
- Length: 772 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mujina by Lafcadio Hearn
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mujina?
- How does this short story by Lafcadio Hearn fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Rokuro Kubi by Lafcadio Hearn
- Jikininki by Lafcadio Hearn
- The Man And The Snake by Ambrose Bierce
- The Tomb by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Haunted Mind by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Devil In Manuscript by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Genres
- Horror — The story features supernatural elements and evokes fear through the encounter with a terrifying figure.
- Fantasy — The presence of a Mujina, a mythical creature, introduces fantastical elements to the narrative.
- Gothic — The setting and themes of isolation, darkness, and the uncanny contribute to a gothic atmosphere.
- Folklore — The narrative draws on traditional Japanese folklore, particularly the concept of yōkai.
Tags
Japanese folklore · Folk tale · Short story collection · Supernatural fiction · Gothic fiction · Dark fantasy · Mystery · Psychological horror · Atmospheric setting · Isolated setting · Small-town life · Rural Japan