[Shimane/Matsue] The model for the morning drama "Bakeke"! The former home of Lafcadio Hearn (Hern's former home), where he and his wife Setsu lived

Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) is a British man known for his many literary works, including "Unknown Faces of Japan" and "Kwaidan" (Ghost Stories). 🇬🇧

Hearn was appointed as an English teacher at Shimane Prefectural Junior High School in 1890. He lived in the house he lived in from June to November of the following year, which has been preserved and opened to the public as the "Koizumi Yakumo Former Residence." 🏠

The former residence was originally the residence of the samurai family of the Negishi clan, a former Matsue domain. At the time, the head of the family, Negishi Kino, was away serving as the governor of Hikawa County (Izumo City), so he rented the house to Yakumo.

Later, thanks to the efforts of Negishi Iwai (Hiroo's eldest son), a former student of Yakumo, the former residence was restored and a memorial museum was established. Even after Iwai's death, the Negishi family and Matsue City have continued to preserve the residence, carrying on Yakumo's wishes. 🤝

The former residence's garden was created in 1868 by Koseki Negishi, the predecessor of Hiroo. The gardens surrounding the residence on three sides were Yakumo's favorite. You can also see the Matsue Castle tower to the south. 🏯

The west and south gardens are dry landscape gardens. Stone lanterns and shachihoko (lion-shaped statues) are found in the sand. Seasonal flowers appear to be planted on a flat island, and a few crape myrtles were in bloom. 🌸

The north garden, on the other hand, is a small, pond-style garden. It's amazing how each garden has been maintained in accordance with the descriptions Yakumo wrote in "Unknown Faces of Japan." 😳

The mansion itself is beautiful. Apparently, Yakumo also liked the fact that when you lean your back against the floor in the living room, you can see three gardens at once. I sat there and stared into the light, and it was incredibly calming. 😌

Other unusual features include sliding door paintings, transoms, oddly placed shelves, and a crescent-shaped alcove. There's even a replica of the Western-style desk Yakumo used. ✍️

It's not a large house, but it's a cozy place that makes you think, "I want to live in a house like this!" ☺️ I'd love to live in a Japanese house someday. 🏠

Next door is the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, which is currently showcasing an exhibit about Yakumo's wife, Koizumi Setsu, who is the inspiration for the upcoming morning drama "Bakeke." Be sure to check it out along with the former residence! 👻

[ 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ]
📍 315 Kitabori-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
🚍 From JR Matsue Station, get off at the "Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum" bus stop (Lake Line) or get off at the "Shiomi Nawate" bus stop (city bus), approximately a 5-minute walk.
🕘 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (October-March, until 5:00 PM. Last admission 30 minutes before closing).
🗓 Open year-round (may be closed for maintenance).
🅿️ Paid parking available nearby.
💴 Adults: ¥400, elementary and junior high school students: ¥200.

⁡． ⁡
⁡．
#Shimane Prefecture
#Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
#Matsue City
#Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence
#Hearn's Former Residence
#Lafcadio Hearn
#Bakeke
#Morning Drama
#Agesogebake
#San'in Tourism
#Matsue Tourism
#Shimane Tourism
#Shimane Trip
#Shimane Outing