Hokusai and the Ghost and Other Writings

An artist driven from his master’s service finds the image that will make his name—but its power comes from a terrible memory. A celebrated thief wins a princess’s attention while struggling with two opposing selves. In distant Tibet, a young English detective must discover why a lama has vanished from a locked palace.

Kunieda Shirō was a Japanese writer of historical adventure and popular fiction. These eight works show his taste for startling situations alongside his interest in other writers and the craft of storytelling. Essays discuss Hanshichi’s detective cases, promising literary newcomers, and the pleasures and frustrations of mystery writing. A warm reminiscence recalls Kosakai Fuboku’s conversation, hospitality, and literary habits.

First published between 1923 and 1929, the collection moves between Edo swordplay, uncanny suggestion, literary humor, and personal memory. These complete translations preserve the original divisions and endings, with concise notes on historical references, uncertain names, and printed discrepancies. AI-assisted translation, prepared and edited by Valentin Sarić.