The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn
This collection of Japanese folk tales features a story about a young woman who is transformed into a mirror by her husband's cruelty and deceit. She becomes trapped in the glass, unable to escape or interact with the world outside. The tale explores themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1891 · Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Gothic Fiction · 2,486 words
First lines
In the period of the Ashikaga Sh[ = o]gunate the shrine of Ogawachi-My[ = o]jin, at Minami-Is['e], fell into decay; and the daimy[ = o] of the district, the Lord Kitahatak['e], found himself unable, by reason of war and other circumstances, to provide for the reparation of the building. Then the Shint[ = o] priest in charge, Matsumura Hy[ = o]go, sought help at Ky[ = o]to from the great daimy[ = o] Hosokawa, who was known to have influence with the Sh[ = o]gun. The Lord Hosokawa received the priest kindly, and promised to speak to the Sh[ = o]gun about the condition of Ogawachi-My[ = o]jin. But he said that, in any event, a grant for the restoration of the temple could not be made without due investigation and considerable delay; and he advised Matsumura to remain in the capital while the matter was being arranged. Matsumura therefore brought his family to Ky[ = o]to, and rented a house in the old Ky[ = o]goku quarter.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mirror Maiden is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Mythology, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,486 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Mirror Maiden?
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Similar titles
- The Story Of Ming Y by Lafcadio Hearn
- Circes Palace by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Wooing Of Becfola by James Stephens
- The Bells Hollow by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Sleeping Faun by Marjorie Pickthall
- The Dream Of Akinosuke by Lafcadio Hearn
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves supernatural elements, including spirits and a magical mirror, which are central to the plot.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set during the Ashikaga shogunate, incorporating historical context and figures.
- Gothic Fiction — The presence of an eerie well, themes of death, and a haunting spirit contribute to a gothic atmosphere.
- Mythology — The story draws on Japanese mythological themes, including spirits and dragons, reflecting cultural beliefs.
Tags
Japanese Folklore · Fairy Tale · Mythology · Female Protagonist · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Transformation · Magic Realism · Cultural Heritage · Historical Fiction · Romance · Fantasy