After Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) passed away in 1904, what kind of life did his wife, Koizumi Setsu, lead?
She deeply loved Japanese culture and devoted herself to supporting her family.
This article explores her later years and the history of the Koizumi family after Hearn’s passing.
1. Setsu’s Life After Losing Her Husband
On September 26, 1904, Lafcadio Hearn suddenly passed away in Tokyo due to a heart attack.
At that time, Setsu was still in her 40s and was left to care for their four children alone.
Along with her deep sorrow, she was faced with a new responsibility—
To protect Hearn’s legacy and ensure that his achievements would be passed down to future generations.
(1) Preserving Hearn’s Writings and Records
Setsu dedicated herself to organizing Hearn’s vast collection of notes, manuscripts, and books.
She took great care in preserving his research on Japanese culture and his collected folklore materials.
Thanks to her efforts, his literary legacy was safeguarded and handed down to later generations.
(2) Raising Their Children
Setsu raised their four children on her own, ensuring that they grew up with an appreciation for both Japanese and Western cultures, just as Hearn had valued.
Her eldest son, Koizumi Kazuo, followed in his father’s footsteps by translating Hearn’s works into English and introducing them to the world.
2. The Koizumi Family’s Legacy
(1) Kazuo’s Efforts to Promote Hearn’s Work
Kazuo continued his father’s research on Japanese culture and actively gave lectures and edited books in Japan and abroad.
Thanks to his contributions, Hearn’s works became widely recognized not only in Japan but also among researchers and literature enthusiasts worldwide.
(2) The Koizumi Family’s Connection to Matsue
Matsue City, deeply tied to Hearn’s legacy, has maintained a strong relationship with the Koizumi family.
Today, Matsue still preserves important landmarks such as the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and his former residence.
Members of the Koizumi family continue to visit the region and contribute to efforts to keep Hearn’s literary legacy alive.
3. Setsu’s Later Years and Passing
(1) A Life Dedicated to Preserving Japanese Culture
Until the end of her life, Setsu remained devoted to preserving her husband’s achievements.
Inspired by Hearn, she also developed a deep interest in Japanese folklore and oral traditions, working to pass them down to future generations.
(2) A Quiet Farewell
In 1932, Setsu peacefully passed away.
Her life was dedicated to supporting Hearn, preserving his works, and ensuring that his literary contributions would endure.
She played a crucial role in bridging Japanese and Western cultures, making her own lasting impact on history.
4. The Influence of the Koizumi Family in Modern Times
(1) Continuing the Family’s Cultural Mission
The descendants of the Koizumi family have carried on Hearn and Setsu’s legacy, continuing to share Japanese culture with the world.
Hearn’s ghost stories and studies on Japan remain influential today, often reinterpreted for modern audiences.
(2) “Bakebake” and the Legacy of Ghost Stories
The project Bakebake represents a new attempt to introduce Hearn’s ghost story culture to modern audiences.
The fact that the Japanese ghost stories Hearn loved continue to evolve today is proof that his and Setsu’s legacy remains alive.
Conclusion
After Lafcadio Hearn’s death, Setsu dedicated herself to preserving his legacy while supporting her family.
Her efforts laid the foundation for future generations of the Koizumi family to share Hearn’s works with the world.
Her life was inseparably intertwined with Hearn’s mission of bridging cultures, and she, too, became a guardian of Japanese traditions.
Even today, her legacy continues to be honored and remembered.
References
https://www.hearn-museum-matsue.jp/ （Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum）
https://www.kankou-matsue.jp/ （Matsue City Official Tourism Site）
https://www.jnto.go.jp/ （Japan Government Tourism Bureau）