The Fire-Fly's Lovers: And Other Fairy Tales of Old Japan

The book highlights the life of William Elliot Griffis, a Union Army veteran who became a pivotal figure in Japanese education and cultural exchange in the early 1870s. After earning his degree from Rutgers and reorganizing Japanese schools, he authored English primers and served as a cultural intermediary. Following his return to the U.S. and completion of his theological studies, Griffis transitioned to writing, producing works on Japan, Europe, and fairy tales. This edition honors Francisco Alcantara, a modern emissary to Japan.