ABSTRACT
The works of Edgar Allan Poe were Introduced to Japan relatively early in the Meiji period (1868-1912); the translations of "The Black Cat" and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" in the twentieth year of Meiji mark the introduction of Poe to Japan. 1 Ever since that time Poe has been one of the most popular and influential Western writers in Japan. During the Meiji period the critics and writers who played an influential role in introducing Poe include Lafcadio Hearn, Natsume Sōseki, Ueda Bin, Iwano Hōmei, Baba Kocho, Hirata Toboku, Tayama Katai and Nagai Kafu. 2 Among them, Lafcadio Hearn and Uedo Bin played decisive roles in laying the foundations for the acceptance and understanding of Poe's writings.
