Yuki-Onna by Lafcadio Hearn (1894)
The story revolves around a young traveler who becomes stranded in the mountains during a severe snowstorm. He takes refuge in an abandoned hut where he finds a woman's body frozen to death. As the night progresses, the traveler begins to feel a presence and soon discovers that the woman has come back to life as Yuki-Onna, a vengeful spirit of the snow. Yuki-Onna is a supernatural being who freezes people to death with her breath, and she sees the traveler as a threat to her existence. The story explores themes of isolation, survival, and the consequences of human actions in the face of nature's fury. The narrative builds up to a climactic confrontation between the traveler and Yuki-Onna, which ultimately leads to a tragic outcome for both characters.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1894 · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Folklore, Horror · 1,758 words
First lines
In a village of Musashi Province (1), there lived two woodcutters: Mosaku and Minokichi. At the time of which I am speaking, Mosaku was an old man; and Minokichi, his apprentice, was a lad of eighteen years. Every day they went together to a forest situated about five miles from their village. On the way to that forest there is a wide river to cross; and there is a ferry-boat. Several times a bridge was built where the ferry is; but the bridge was each time carried away by a flood. No common bridge can resist the current there when the river rises.
What this Textopian page supports
Yuki-Onna is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Supernatural Fiction, Folklore, Horror, Romance, Tragedy
- Length: 1,758 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Yuki-Onna by Lafcadio Hearn
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Yuki-Onna?
- How does this short story by Lafcadio Hearn fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Supernatural Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Supernatural Fiction — The story revolves around a ghostly figure, the Yuki-Onna, and explores themes of the supernatural and the unknown.
- Folklore — The narrative draws heavily from Japanese folklore, featuring traditional elements and cultural beliefs about spirits.
- Horror — The story contains elements of fear and dread, particularly in the depiction of the Yuki-Onna and the fate of Mosaku.
- Romance — The relationship between Minokichi and O-Yuki develops into a romantic bond, highlighting themes of love and attraction.
Tags
Japanese Folklore · Short Story · Ghost Story · Yuki-Onna Legend · Snow Maiden · Feminine Spirit · Winter Mythology · Japanese Culture · Traditional Tales · Supernatural Fiction · Mysterious Figure · Female Ghost