Lafcadio Hearn Commemorative Gardens

Images 01 – 05 are intended to capture the strong Japanese design influence in the Lafcadio Hearn commemorative gardens (Tramore, Co Waterford, Ireland), in particular the reflected nature, and the minimalist aesthetic, that’s often found in Japanese garden design. The Tramore Japanese style garden commemorate Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, who was an international writer, known best for his books about Japan. Born to an Irish father and Greek mother in 1850, he was raised in Ireland and spent his summers in Tramore. He emigrated to the US and form 1872 was a reporter in Cincinnati and from 1877 in New Orleans. During that time he was well respected for his coverage of social issues. In 1890 Hearn travelled to Japan on a one off assignment for Harper’s magazine. However, he became captivated by the country and it’s culture and stayed, marrying a Japanese woman in 1891. He became professor of English literature at the Imperial University of Tokyo and became famous in Japan for his translation of Japanese folktales.