The stories are very good traditional Japanese ghost tales at their core. The author enjoys adding much detail to the lives of the characters which brings the reader close to the daily workings of normalcy in the working classes. However, the details become overbearing in most stories to the point where the supernatural makes only the faintest of appearances to minimal effect. As an artistic statement, this could be praiseworthy as the ghost is fleeting enough to just be a suggestion at the externalized folly of whatever poor soul witnesses it. As an engaging book though, it left something to be desired. ( )

This was highly enjoyable.
No horror, no jumpscares, but a slight uncanniness throughout the book... Very atmospheric. You also learn a lot about life in old Edo and the rural areas of Japan in the 18th and 19th century. Sadly, none of the classic stories of Oiwa, Otsuyu or Okiku are included (though that's Okiku on the cover.) But then, it's really refreshing to read some new, relatively unknown stories where you don't know what to expect... ( )

See my review at http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/blog/?p=22283. ( )