Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Kumamoto

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2025/03/30
Address: Kumamoto-Shi, Kumamoto, Chuo-ku,
Anseimachi 2-6 【860-0801】
Admission Fee: Adult ¥200 |
Elementary/Middle School Student ¥100 | Anyone Younger Free

Koizumi Yakumo was a British national born in Greece and raised in Ireland. He came to Japan when he was 39, and while living in the Meiji era (1868-1912), he moved around Japan, living in several prefectures while writing books about his experiences in Japan and his thoughts on the country. Koizumi Yakumo's books about Japan still impact others studying Japan today. One of the many prefectures he lived in was Kumamoto Prefecture; he lived there for roughly three years (November 1891 - October 1894). The house he and his wife lived in still exists, and it is now open to the public as the “Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Kumamoto”. Lafcadio Hearn was the name of Koizumi Yakumo before he changed it when becoming a Japanese citizen (in 1896).

The Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Kumamoto is the former house of a lower-class samurai (a class of warriors in Japan that dominated the Japanese government until the Meiji Restoration in 1868). There used to be many traditional Japanese houses lining the streets of Kumamoto City, but the one that Koizumi Yakumo lived in is now the only one that remains. This former samurai house is not only a place where one can learn about the life that Koizumi Yakumo lived here, but is also an important historical artefact. The number of traditional Japanese houses is now dwindling, so it’s rare to see one in as good of a condition as this. Getting to see one up close like this is a special experience.

At the Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Kumamoto, there are detailed explanations about Koizumi Yakumo and a few of his personal belongings on display. One of those belongings is a cage to collect insects in the shape of a boat. Koizumi Yakumo used to love listening to the chirping of various insects, so he collected them each year. This is (without a doubt) an item of high value. This is so beautiful; it almost looks like a piece of art, it’s intricately made from wood. Another item on display here is Koizumi Yakumo’s desk. He loved the Japanese way of life. The only Western furniture he had was this desk and chair. He was nearsighted, so (as one will notice) this desk was built higher than usual. Koizumi Yakumo’s nose almost touched each paper he wrote, it was so close to his face. Nevertheless, this desk seemed useful and helped him achieve whatever writing he needed to do.

When first renting this house, Koizumi Yakumo had a 神棚 (kamidana—a small Shintō altar or shrine in one’s home) custom-made. One could call this the “crown jewel” of all the personal belongings here. It’s quite a big one; it can fit three お神札 (ofuda—a strip of paper or wooden tablet in which words of religious significance are written) side by side. When standing in front of this kamidana, it’s not hard to imagine Koizumi Yakumo praying here each morning as he was said to have done. Staring at it fills one with awe, there’s this mystical feeling about it that makes one feel as if a god actually dwells within it.

In 2016, an earthquake centred around Kumamoto Prefecture struck. This earthquake damaged the Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Kumamoto. How much damage was done here? Detailed explanations and photos here show how rough the damage was. They show how terrifying earthquakes can be.

As mentioned above, the number of samurai houses and other traditional houses in Japan is dwindling, so this is one house where not only can you learn about who Koizumi Yakumo was and what life he led in Kumamoto Prefecture but also one where one has the special experience of seeing a Japanese building with history up close. For those who’d like to learn about a foreigner who absolutely loved Japan, and would like to see a traditional Japanese building up close, the Lafcadio Hearn's Former Residence Kumamoto is one place worth visiting.

NOTE
Most of the explanations displayed here are only written in Japanese.