Gendai Shiso (Contemporary Thought) November 2025 Special Issue Feature: ◎ Lafcadio Hearn / Yakumo Koizumi A hot topic in the second half of 2025, the NHK morning serial drama "Bakemono" (Monster/Ghost Story)!! Lafcadio Hearn, born to an Irish father and a Greek mother, was a journalist in America before coming to Japan in 1890. While moving his residence between Matsue, Kumamoto, Kobe, and Tokyo, he observed the Japanese climate, the world of faith, and so on. He also published retold literature such as "Kwaidan," which had a significant impact on Japanese literature and culture, as well as on research on Hearn abroad. The NHK morning drama "Bakemono" is planned to be broadcast with the protagonist modeled after Koizumi Setsu, Hearn's wife. This issue reconsiders Lafcadio Hearn / Yakumo Koizumi, who continues to fascinate many people, from various angles. Contents＊ 【Discussion I】 Kikuko Hirafuji × Yukiyuki Miura 【Discussion II】 Kunichi Uno × Hiroki Hyodo 【Contributions】 Bon Koizumi / Masayuki Ikeda / Hideki Saito / Ryota Fukushima / Masao Higashi / Sayaka Mitsunari / Shigenori Iwata / Yoshie Nakajima / Kikuko Hirafuji / Naruhiko Nishi / Atsushi Ode / Lindsey Morrison / Chihiro Minato / Yukiyuki Miura / Yusuke Uno / Hiroki Hyodo / Kunichi Uno / Hiroshi Oshima / Tsutomu Tomonaga / Kennosuke Mogi / Reiji Ando / Hisao Yamashita / Yuki Watari / Naoki Ishibashi