An anon in the previous thread recommended I read Lafcadio Hearn's essay on Hourai, saying it describes his view of what Gensokyo represents. Well, after all this time, I did it.
Hearn's style of writing is sure very unique. The text is very descriptive considering how short it is.
That essay reveals a lot of Hearn's influence on ZUN, from the general aesthetic ideal, to particular images and even to some of the terms being used.