Academic inheritance(9)

Exchange with the West by Two Great Writers

After teaching English at Kumamoto’s Senior High School No. 5 (old system) for four years and three months, Natsume Soseki went to the United Kingdom to do research in English. Today Soseki’s books have been translated into various languages and are widely read in Europe, the United States, Asia and elsewhere. Grecian-born literary master Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), who translated ghost stories such as "the Story of Hoichi the Earless," also taught English at Senior High School No. 5 (old system), for three years. There are various locations in Kumamoto City related to the two literary masters. They include their former residences; Senior High School No. 5 (old system), where they taught English; and locations that were appeared in their novels.

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Related Spots

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Koizumi Yakumo Former Residence

This is the first house Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) lived in after coming to Kumamoto. When he rented the house, Koizumi special-ordered and installed a household Shinto shrine.

Location: 2-6 Anseimachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto
PH: 096-354-7842 (Koizumi Yakumo Former Residence)
Website: Kumamoto City Official Guide
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/en/spots/detail/62
Closed: Mondays (on the following day if a public holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3
Transportation: Approx. 11 min walk from Kotsu Center
Approx. 5 min walk from “Torichosuji” tram stop
Parking: Unavailable


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Soseki Natsume The Third Old House

This is the house from where Soseki Natsume set out on a trip to Oama, which became the subject of his novel “Kusamakura.”


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Urashimaya

This building is a partial re-creation of the traditional Japanese inn that was the setting for Koizumi Yakumo’s essay “The Dream of a Summer Day.”

Location: Misumiura, Misumi-machi Uki-shi, Kumamoto (inside Misumi Nishiko Park)
PH: 0964-32-1111 (Uki City Culture Division)
Website: Uki City (Japanese Only, Translation button on the website)
https://www.city.uki.kumamoto.jp/q/aview/245/2061.html
Admission: Free
Transportation: Drive west on National Route 57 from Kumamoto City for Approx. 60 min
Approx. 50 min from Kyushu Jukan Expressway Matsubase Interchange
Parking: Available (approx. 30 cars)