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Koizumi Yakumo whose real name was Lafcadio Hearn was born in Greece in 1850. Educated in his father's home country England, Koizumi moved to the U.S. at age 19. He began working as a newspaper reporter and eventually became famous for his translations and creative literature.
In 1890 when Koizumi was age 40, he traveled to Japan and taught English at Matsue Junior High School in Shimane prefecture. The following year he was invited by the (government's) 5th High School (the current Kumamoto University) and thus transferred to Kumamoto. Koizumi fell so in love with the Japanese culture; at his request a Shinto altar was built in his room. It is said that every morning he performed the Shinto ritual by clapping his hands in front of his little shrine.
Koizumi is also known for using a rickshaw for his commute to school. During the three years he spent in Kumamoto, he wrote major works about Japanese culture. His residence of the time is still maintained in the city today.
