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'A modern day Lafcadio Hearn is picking up his ghostly torch. Zack Davisson is the author, translator, and folklorist following in Hearn's footsteps.'--tofugu.comMysterious demons, ghosts and monsters have haunted Japan for centuries! The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Yokai presents 100 of the strangest creatures you have ever seen--from evil demons and terrifying monsters to mythical ghosts and enchanted beasts.In this book, Yokai expert Zack Davisson explains how Yokai are highly elusive, and yet without understanding them you will never truly know Japan. The Yokai profiled in this book include:Amabie: A mysterious half fish, half bird creature said to heal any affliction merely by gazing upon its imageTofu Kozo: A harmless Yokai that appears like a young child dressed in a fancy kimono with a straw hat carrying a plate of wobbly tofuKyokotsu: The pitiful spirit of a person who was thrown down a well and died--with pale skin and a shock of white hair growing from a bleached-white skullAkaname: A disgusting Yokai who skitters about licking the scum from filthy bathtubsKanibozu: Massive crabs, who shapeshift into human form, disguising themselves as monks asking riddles, but killing anyone who fails to answer correctly!And many more!Packed with interesting facts and entertaining stories, this book is richly illustrated with over 250 color woodblock prints and paintings that reveal the fascinating world of the Yokai.

Japanese Mythology is a detailed anthology regarding Japanese folk tales, mythology and legends and it presents a wonderful in-depth look into Japanese culture and their culture's beliefs and history. It is a collection of diverse Japanese folk tales, including a variety of topics from creation myths, stories of gods and goddesses, tales of animal spirits, to legends of the sea and of Mount Fuji, as well as analysis of how these stories relate to Japanese culture.

In Ghostly Japanis a collection of supernatural and ghost stories, short pieces and folktales from Japan. Through these spooky stories, the author also analyses parts of the Japanese culture, dealing with philosophical and spiritual musing on the supernatural stories of Japan. Table of Contents: Furisodé Incense A Story of Divination Silkworms A Passional Karma Footprints of the Buddha Ululation Bits of Poetry Japanese Buddhist Proverbs Suggestion Ingwa-banashi Story of a Tengu At Yaidzu

Learn about Japanese culture while improving your language skills!Japanese Folktales for Language Learners presents 22 traditional stories in parallel Japanese and English versions on facing pages, with detailed notes and exercises aimed at beginning to intermediate learners. This book can be used as a language reader and will be of great interest to anyone wishing to learn more about Japanese culture and folklore.The stories in this collection gradually increase in length and complexity as the book progresses. They include:'The Candy-Buying Ghost'- A female ghost mysteriously buys candy every night from a small village shop, until one night she reveals her true identity and her tragic story.'The Old Man Who Made Trees Blossom'- Regarded as one of the? ve greatest Japanese folktales, this touching story tells of a kind old man who uses his magical powers for good.'The Abandoned Mother'- An elderly woman is abandoned at the top of a mountain by her own son, a reference to the old practice of senicide in Japan. Vocabulary lists, cultural notes, exercises and discussion questions help to reinforce an understanding of the stories and bolster language skills. Free online recordings of all the stories are provided.

The first comprehensive study in English of the Japanese hell figure Datsueba explores her evolution since her eleventh-century emergence as a terrifying old woman who strips the clothes of the dead in the afterworld. Drawing widely on literature, art, and worship practices, the author reveals how the creative utilization of Datsueba's key attributes—including a marker of borders, a keeper of cloth, and an elderly woman—transformed her into a guardian of the human journey through life and death and shaped a figure that is diverse and multifaceted, yet also strikingly recognizable across the centuries.

The 15 essays collected here examine the inner spiritual life of Japan through the people that make Japan the unique place it is. The word'Kokoro'itself can be translated as'heart,''spirit'or'inner meaning,'and that's exactly what this title can teach us about Japan. (Goodreads)

A brief but delightful insight into Japanese culture by an author who (from my experience) has consistently captured the ways of the Japanese people of the time. (Goodreads)

In Ghostly Japan collects twelve ghostly stories from Lafcadio Hearn, deathless images of ghosts and goblins, touches of folklore and superstition, salted with traditions of the nation. While some of these stories contain nightmare imagery worthy of a midnight creature feature, others are not ghostly or ghastly at all.'Bits of Poetry'offers an engaging study on verse, and'Japanese Buddhist Proverbs'explains the meaning of several aphorisms based on Japanese cultural references. (Goodreads)

Asia Folklore The Legends of Eternal Life Bilingual Edition In English & Germany Languange Ultimate Version. Long, long ago there lived a man called Sentaro. His surname meant'Millionaire,'but although he was not so rich as all that, he was still very far removed from being poor. He had inherited a small fortune from his father and lived on this, spending his time carelessly, without any serious thoughts of work, till he was about thirty-two years of age. One day, without any reason whatsoever, the thought of death and sickness came to him. The idea of falling ill or dying made him very wretched.'I should like to live,'he said to himself,'till I am five or six hundred years old at least, free from all sickness. The ordinary span of a man's life is very short.'He wondered whether it were possible, by living simply and frugally henceforth, to prolong his life as long as he wished. He knew there were many stories in ancient history of emperors who had lived a thousand years, and there was a Princess of Yamato, who, it was said, lived to the age of five hundred This was the latest story of a very long life record. Vor langer, langer Zeit lebte dort ein Mann namens Sentaro. Sein Nachname bedeutete'Millionär', aber obwohl er nicht so reich war, war er immer noch weit davon entfernt, arm zu sein. Er hatte ein kleines Vermögen von seinem Vater geerbt und lebte von diesem und verbrachte seine Zeit achtlos, ohne ernsthafte Gedanken an Arbeit, bis er ungefähr zweiunddreißig Jahre alt war. Eines Tages kam ihm grundlos der Gedanke an Tod und Krankheit. Die Vorstellung, krank zu werden oder zu sterben, machte ihn sehr elend.'Ich würde gerne leben', sagte er sich,'bis ich mindestens fünf- oder sechshundert Jahre alt bin, frei von jeglicher Krankheit. Die gewöhnliche Lebensspanne eines Mannes ist sehr kurz.'Er fragte sich, ob es möglich war, sein Leben so lange zu verlängern, wie er wollte, indem er fortan einfach und sparsam lebte. Er wusste, dass es in der alten Geschichte viele Geschichten von Kaisern gab, die tausend Jahre gelebt hatten, und es gab eine Prinzessin von Yamato, die angeblich bis zu einem Alter von fünfhundert Jahren lebte. Dies war die neueste Geschichte eines sehr langen Lebens.

'Filled with now-familiar favorites, along with lesser known yet equally delightful tales, this enduring collection presents stories to enchant and enlighten young readers.'-- School Library JournalFrom singing turtles and flying farmers to a weeping dragon and rice bags that replenish themselves, readers of all ages will find engaging characters and moments of magic in these beloved Japanese folk tales.The stories in this collection include:The Magic Mortar--A tale that explains why the sea is saltyHow to Fool a Cat--A funny story about a clever woodworkerThe Rolling Mochi Cakes--Good food, a beautiful song and a lesson on the benefits of sharing with othersThe Dragon's Tears--A sweet tale about first impressions, kindness and inclusivityBroken up into 16 folk tales, this book will become a go-to for bedtime and storytime. Kids (and adults!) will have the opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture in a fun, accessible way.

Mountain Witches is a comprehensive guide to the complex figure of yamauba—female yōkai often translated as mountain witches, who are commonly described as tall, enigmatic women with long hair, piercing eyes, and large mouths that open from ear to ear and who live in the mountains—and the evolution of their roles and significance in Japanese culture and society from the premodern era to the present. In recent years yamauba have attracted much attention among scholars of women's literature as women unconstrained by conformative norms or social expectations, but this is the first book to demonstrate how these figures contribute to folklore, Japanese studies, cultural studies, and gender studies. Situating the yamauba within the construct of yōkai and archetypes, Noriko T. Reider investigates the yamauba attributes through the examination of narratives including folktales, literary works, legends, modern fiction, manga, and anime. She traces the lineage of a yamauba image from the seventh-century text Kojiki to the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, and explores its emergence as well as its various, often conflicting, characteristics. Reider also examines the adaptation and re-creation of the prototype in diverse media such as modern fiction, film, manga, anime, and fashion in relation to the changing status of women in Japanese society. Offering a comprehensive overview of the development of the yamauba as a literary and mythic trope, Mountain Witches is a study of an archetype that endures in Japanese media and folklore. It will be valuable to students, scholars, and the general reader interested in folklore, Japanese literature, demonology, history, anthropology, cultural studies, gender studies, and the visual and performing arts.

A goblin with no body and a monster with no face. A resourceful samurai and a faithful daughter. A spirit of the moon and a dragon king.This collection of 15 traditional Japanese folktales transports readers to a time of adventure and enchantment. Drawn from the works of folklorists Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki, these tales are by turns terrifying, exhilarating, and poetic.• Striking illustrations by contemporary Japanese artist Kotaro Chiba• Special gift edition features an embossed, textured case with metallic gold ink, and a satin ribbon page marker• Part of the popular Tales series, featuring Nordic Tales, Celtic Tales, Tales of India, and Tales of East AfricaFans of Ghostly Tales, and Japanese Notebooks will love this book.This book is ideal for:• Fans of fairytales, folklore, ghost stories, Greek mythology, roman mythology, Chinese mythology, and Celtic mythology• Anyone interested in Japan's history books and culture studies• People of Japanese heritage• Collectors of illustrated classics

Japanese Legends and Folklore invites English speakers into the intriguing world of Japanese folktales, ghost stories and historical eyewitness accounts. With a fascinating selection of stories about Japanese culture and history, A.B. Mitford--who lived and worked in Japan as a British diplomat--presents a broad cross section of tales from many Japanese sources. Discover more about practically every aspect of Japanese life--from myths and legends to society and religion. This book features 30 fascinating Japanese stories, including: The Forty-Seven Ronin--the famous, epic tale of a loyal band of Samurai warriors who pay the ultimate price for avenging the honor of their fallen master. The Tongue-Cut Sparrow--a good-hearted old man is richly rewarded when he begs forgiveness from a sparrow who is injured by his spiteful, greedy wife. The Adventures of Little Peach Boy--a tale familiar to generations of Japanese children, a small boy born from a peach is adopted by a kindly childless couple.Japanese Sermons--a selection of sermons written by a priest belonging to the Shingaku sect, which combines Buddhist, Shinto and Confucian teachings.An Account of Hara-Kiri--Mitford's dramatic first person account of a ritual Samurai suicide, the first time it had been reported in English. Thirty-one reproductions of woodblock prints bring the classic tales and essays to life. These influential stories helped shape the West's understanding of Japanese culture. A new foreword by Professor Michael Dylan Foster sheds light on the book's importance as a groundbreaking work of Japanese folklore, literature and history.

A collection of twenty-eight brilliant and strange stories, inspired by Japanese folk tales and written by renowned Western expatriate Lafcadio HearnLafcadio Hearn (1850–1904) was one of the nineteenth century's best-known writers, his name celebrated alongside those of Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson. Born in Greece and raised in Ireland, Hearn was a true prodigy and world traveler. He worked as a reporter in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and the West Indies before heading to Japan in 1890 on a commission from Harper's. There, he married a Japanese woman from a samurai family, changed his name to Koizumi Yakumo, and became a Japanese subject. An avid collector of traditional Japanese tales, legends, and myths, Hearn taught literature and wrote his own tales for both Japanese and Western audiences. Japanese Tales of Lafcadio Hearn brings together twenty-eight of Hearn's strangest and most entertaining stories in one elegant volume.Hearn's tales span a variety of genres. Many are fantastical ghost stories, such as “The Corpse-Rider,” in which a man foils the attempts of his former wife's ghost to haunt him. Some are love stories in which the beloved is not what she appears to be: in “The Story of Aoyagi,” a young samurai narrowly escapes the wrath of his lord for marrying without permission, only to discover that his wife is the spirit of a willow tree. Throughout this collection, Hearn's reverence for Japan shines through, and his stories provide insights into the country's artistic and cultural heritage.With an introduction by Andrei Codrescu discussing Hearn's life and work, as well as a foreword by Jack Zipes, Japanese Tales of Lafcadio Hearn provides a unique window into one writer's multicultural literary journey.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Lafcadio Hearn (1850–1904) was instrumental in introducing Western readers to Japanese culture and literature. Raised in Dublin and a longtime resident of the United States, the writer, translator, and teacher arrived in Japan in 1890 and spent the rest of his life there. His writings from Japan became his most popular works, and he was famed not only as an interpreter of Japanese myths but also as a teller of strange and macabre tales.This volume offers an eerie collection of Hearn's memorable depictions of the folklore, superstitions, and traditions of old Japan. Its chilling tales of the spirit world are interwoven with nonfiction reflections on the country's idioms, Buddhist proverbs, translations of haiku, and the ritual uses of incense. The spooky stories are populated by a pilgrim who attempts to climb a mountain of skulls, a dying wife who bequeaths her rival a sinister legacy, a ghostly beauty who leaves the world of the dead to revisit her samurai lover, and other mysterious characters from Japanese folklore.

In this lavishly illustrated volume, A.B. Mitford presents ancient Japanese tales filled with action, romance, and the supernatural. Proud lords and their loyal retainers, a brave samurai and his faithless wife, a vampire cat, and howling spirits are all featured in the engaging stories that follow, including:• The Forty-Seven Rōnin: In this account of fierce heroism, a band of rōnin—masterless samurai who wander the country as somewhat disreputable knights errant—swear to lay down their lives to avenge their lord, who was condemned to hara kiri and his property and castle forfeited to the state.• How Tajima Shumé was Tormented by a Devil of his Own Creation: When a traveling rōnin amasses great wealth with a dead priest's money, he finds himself confronted with a fearful vision of the man he murdered.• The Badger's Money: An old priest takes pity on a helpless badger that asks to enter his warm cottage so that it may live through a bitterly cold night.Appendices covering hara kiri and funeral rites conclude this collection of mesmerizing stories about Japanese life in days of yore.

柳田国男と折口信夫の民俗学創生の思想を受け継ぎ、その学問構想を堅実に発展させる「民俗伝承学」を新たに提唱。個別事例研究と比較研究の両者の活用という、民俗学にとって基本的な研究法により、文献史学と共存・協業する実践例として執筆された論文を収載する。文献史学に新たな視点と方法を提案して、もう一つの新しい歴史世界をひらく注目の書。

Yanagita Kunio (1872-1962) is widely known as the founder of folklore studies in Japan, and his achievement in presenting a systematic framework for the discipline is highly valued amongst academic writings. However, many of his ideas still need to be examined, and in recent years there has been a renewal of interest in his works, especially among scholars of intellectual history. This re-evaluation of his achievements is generally attributable to the current view that Yanagita retained an independent position as an intellectual struggling to solve the various problems that dominated Japan in the years of great change from Meiji and Taisho to Showa. First published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

A great story can lead a reader on a journey of discovery--especially if it's presented in two languages! Beautifully illustrated in a traditional style, Japanese Stories for Language Learners offers five compelling stories with English and Japanese language versions appearing on facing pages. Taking learners on an exciting cultural and linguistic journey, each story is followed by detailed translator's notes, Japanese vocabulary lists, and grammar points along with a set of discussion questions and exercises. The first two stories are very famous traditional Japanese folktales: Urashima Taro (Tale of a Fisherman) and Yuki Onna (The Snow Woman). These are followed by three short stories by notable 20th century authors: Kumo no Ito (The Spider's Thread) by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1892-1927)Oborekaketa Kyodai (The Siblings Who Almost Drowned) by Arishima Takeo (1878-1923)Serohiki no Goshu (Gauche the Cellist) by Miyazawa Kenji (1896-1933)Reading these stories in the original Japanese script--and hearing native-speakers read them aloud in the accompanying free audio recording--helps students at every level deepen their comprehension of the beauty and subtlety of the Japanese language. Learn Japanese the fun way--through the country's rich literary history.

Japan has often been thought of as a closed country, but before the country was closed in 1635 many travellers from the West were able to experience its unique traditions and culture. Their accounts speak of legends of powerful dragons and devils, tales of the revered emperor and the protocol surrounding him, following complex etiquette in everything from tea ceremonies to footwear, and bloodthirsty warlords who exacted cruel and unusual punishments for the smallest of crimes. In Old Japan Antony Cummins uses these captivating eyewitness accounts to reveal fascinating facts and myths from the mysterious Land of the Rising Sun.

This collection includes: Glimpses of an Unfamiliar Japan First Series, Glimpses of an Unfamiliar Japan Second Series, In Ghostly Japan, Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation, Kokoro, and Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. According to Wikipedia:'Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (27 June 1850 – 26 September 1904), also known as Koizumi Yakum after gaining Japanese citizenship, was an author, best known for his books about Japan. He is especially well-known for his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things... The Japanese director Masaki Kobayashi adapted four Hearn tales into his 1965 film, Kwaidan. Some of his stories have been adapted by Ping Chong into his trademark puppet theatre, including the 1999 Kwaidan and the 2002 OBON: Tales of Moonlight and Rain... Hearn was a major translator of the short stories of Guy de Maupassant. In Ian Fleming's 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, James Bond retorts to his nemesis Blofeld's comment of'Have you ever heard the Japanese expression kirisute gomen?'with'Spare me the Lafcadio Hearn, Blofeld.'

The insignia of the great Japanese Empire is composed of three treasures which have been considered sacred, and guarded with jealous care from time immemorial. These are the Yatano-no-Kagami or the Mirror of Yata, the Yasakami-no-Magatama or the Jewel of Yasakami, and the Murakumo-no-Tsurugi or the Sword of Murakumo. Of these three treasures of the Empire, the sword of Murakumo, afterwards known as Kusanagi-no-Tsrugugi, or the grass-cleaving sword, is considered the most precious and most highly to be honored, for it is the symbol of strength to this nation of warriors and the talisman of invincibility for the Emperor, while he holds it sacred in the shrine of his ancestors. Nearly two thousand years ago this sword was kept at the shrines of Ite, the temples dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu, the great and beautiful Sun Goddess from whom the Japanese Emperors are said to be descended. There is a story of knightly adventure and daring which explains why the name of the sword was changed from that of Murakumo to Kasanagi, which means grass clearing. Once, many, many years ago, there was born a son to the Emperor Keiko, the twelfth in descent from the great Jimmu, the founder of the Japanese dynasty. This Prince was the second son of the Emperor Keiko, and he was named Yamato. From his childhood he proved himself to be of remarkable strength, wisdom and courage, and his father noticed with pride that he gave promise of great things, and he loved him even more than he did his elder son.

Since ancient times, the Japanese have lived with superstitions of strange presences and phenomena known as'yōkai,'creating a culture by turns infused with unease, fear, and divinity. Tsukimono spirit possessions. Fearsome kappa, oni, and tengu. Yamauba crones. Ghostly yūrei. Otherworldy ijin...Where did they come from? Why do they remain so popular? Written by Japan's premier scholar of yōkai and strange tales, this book is both an introduction to the rich imagination and spirituality of Japan's yōkai culture and a history of the authors and writings that have shaped yōkai studies as a field.

With unique and playful illustrations this multicultural children's book is a classic Japanese fairy tale that young children and parents alike will love.The Last Kappa of Old Japan is a warmly written and beautifully illustrated bilingual Japanese children's book that introduces many aspects of traditional Japanese culture and folklore, while teaching an important lesson about environmentalism. The story is of a young Japanese farm boy who develops a friendship with a mythical creature— the kappa—a messenger of the god of water. The tale begins in post-Modern Japan when the boy is young and the kappa is healthy and ends when the kappa, now the last one left on Earth, keeps an important promise to his human friend. A story of love, friendship, and adventure, readers of all ages will enjoy this picture book by award-winning author/illustrator, Sunny Seki. This bilingual edition includes Japanese text alongside the english, making it a great way for kids to lean Japanese.

In Japanese culture, oni are ubiquitous supernatural creatures who play important roles in literature, lore, and folk belief. Characteristically ambiguous, they have been great and small, mischievous and dangerous, and ugly and beautiful over their long history. Here, author Noriko Reider presents seven oni stories from medieval Japan in full and translated for an English-speaking audience. Reider, concordant with many scholars of Japanese cultural studies, argues that to study oni is to study humanity. These tales are from an era in which many new oni stories appeared for the purpose of both entertainment and moral/religious edification and for which oni were particularly important, as they were perceived to be living entities. They reflect not only the worldview of medieval Japan but also themes that inform twenty-first-century Japanese pop and vernacular culture, including literature, manga, film, and anime. With each translation, Reider includes an introductory essay exploring the historical and cultural importance of the characters and oni manifestations within this period. Offering new insights into and interpretations of not only the stories therein but also the entire genre of Japanese ghost stories, Seven Demon Stories is a valuable companion to Reider's 2010 volume Japanese Demon Lore. It will be of significant value to folklore scholars as well as students of Japanese culture.

A Story with Heart.“We owe more to our illusions than to our knowledge” - Natusme, KokoroA collection of 15 essays that examine the inner spiritual life of Japan through the people that make Japan the unique place it is. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This eBook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes

In 24 Geschichten entführen uns geheimnisvolle Fuchswesen und mysteriöse Schneefrauen in die faszinierende Welt der Mythen und Magie des alten Japans. Viele der Märchen sind durch moderne Adaptionen in Manga und Anime bis heute Teil der zeitgenössischen japanischen Kultur.

Tales of Old Japan is an anthology of short stories, compiled by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, Lord Redesdale, writing under the better known name of A.B. Mitford. These stories focus on the varying aspects of Japanese life in centuries past. The book, which was written in 1871, is still regarded as an excellent introduction to Japanese literature and culture, by virtue of its ease of access and supplemental notes by the writer. Also included are the author's eyewitness accounts of a selection of Japanese rituals, ranging from the harakiri and marriage to a selection of sermons. This book had a lasting influence on the Western perception of Japanese history, culture and society, particularly because of just one widely known tale about samurai revenge.

“This delightful compendium of short, savory, and highly tellable tales embodies the beliefs and folkways of rural Japan—specifically the area most impacted by the recent tsunami and nuclear disaster. It adds immeasurably to our insight into that endangered world.” —Joseph Sobol, Ph.D., director, ETSU Storytelling Graduate Program

Travel back in time with this eclectic collection of ancient and medieval Japanese folktales, myths, and fables from Yei Theodora Ozaki, a skilled translator born to a Japanese father and European mother who as a young woman and adult divided her time between both regions. Spanning centuries, the collection is sure to engage folktale fans and readers of all ages.

With unique and playful illustrations this multicultural children's book is a classic Japanese fairy tale that young children and parents alike will love.The Last Kappa of Old Japan is a warmly written and beautifully illustrated children's book that introduces many aspects of traditional Japanese culture and folklore, while teaching an important lesson about environmentalism. The story is of a young Japanese farm boy who develops a friendship with a mythical creature-- the kappa--a messenger of the god of water. The tale begins in post-Modern Japan when the boy is young and the kappa is healthy and ends when the kappa, now the last one left on Earth, keeps an important promise to his human friend. A story of love, friendship, and adventure, readers of all ages will enjoy this picture book by award-winning author/illustrator, Sunny Seki.

Learn Japanese and enjoy folktales at the same time with this whimsically illustrated multicultural children's book! This bilingual edition of A Treasury of Japanese Folktales--presented in both English and Japanese--contains 12 of the best Japanese legends and fairy tales, told to generation after generation of Japanese children. Originally written in English by Yuri Yasuda, based on her interpretations of traditional Japanese tales, these charming stories of rich imagination are now accompanied by Japanese text by Yumi Matsunari and Yumi Yamaguchi. The Japanese text includes basic kanji accompanied by furigana to help beginning learners to recognize and learn the characters.Adventures carry us, on turtle-back, to the splendors of the underwater palace of the dragon princess, to the beautiful hills where Kintaro plays with his animal friends, and to a temple where we discover a'tea kettle'that is really a cunning badger in disguise.The 98 color illustrations, executed with great skill and imagination, bring to life the charming characters of these heart-warming tales of old Japan, which include:Shitakiri Suzume, the Tongue-Cut SparrowKintaro, the Strong BoyKaguya Hime, the Luminous PrincessMomotaro, the Peach BoyBunbuku Chagama, the Lucky Cauldron

Eine Sammlung der schönsten Märchen, Sagen und Fabeln Japans.

This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.

De Japanse sprookjes, mythen en legenden staan garant voor spannende avonturen.'Fantastische verhalen uit Japan'leidt je via een vervaarlijk pad langs de magische Fuji-berg naar het keizerlijke Kyoto. De magie van Japan komt nergens zo goed tot uiting als in haar fantastische volksverhalen en sprookjes. Goedaardige haaimensen staan tegenover boze geesten en arme boeren proberen de kracht van betoverde sake te weerstaan.'Kiyo huilde, ze smeekte, ze sloeg haar mooi gevormde armen om hem heen, maar geen van haar verlokkingen had enig effect. Toen kreeg de priester de schrik van zijn leven: hij zag de ogen van Kiyo plotseling veranderen in die van een slang'

A Newberry Medal Winner This timeless fable has been a classic since its first publication in 1930, and this beautifully reillustrated edition brings the magic and wonder of the tale to a new generation of readers.In ancient Japan, a struggling artist is angered when his housekeeper brings home a tiny white cat he can barely afford to feed. But when the village's head priest commissions a painting of the Buddha for a healthy sum, the artist softens toward the animal he believes has brought him luck. According to legend, the proud and haughty cat was denied the Buddha's blessing for refusing to accept his teachings and pay him homage. So when the artist, moved by compassion for his pet, includes the cat in his painting, the priest rejects the work and decrees that it must be destroyed. It seems the artist's life is ruined as well—until he is rewarded for his act of love by a Buddhist miracle.

The most popular myths and legends of Japanese culture are charmingly retold in English in this handsomely illustrated book. Here are myths of gods, heroes and warriors; legends of Buddha, and of the goddess Benten and the god Daikoku; tales of the sea and of Mount Fuji; accounts of superstitions and supernatural beings; observations on the spiritual properties of fans, flowers, dolls and butterflies and much more.The collection begins with the early myths of Japan, which the author describes as'quaint, beautiful, quasi-humorous.'These are followed by legends celebrating early heroes and warriors, and the earliest examples of the Japanese romance,'The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Maiden.'Many of the legends that follow reflect a poetic love of beauty and of nature. But as the author points out,'there is plenty of crude realism in Japanese legend. We are repelled by the Thunder God's favorite repast, amazed by the magical power of foxes and cats; and the story of'Hōïchi-the-Earless'and of the corpse-eating priest afford striking examples of the combination of the weird and the horrible.'Thirty-two full-page illustrations offer compelling images of Buddha and the Dragon; A Kakemono Ghost; The Jelly-Fish and the Monkey; The Firefly Battle; Tokoyo and the Sea Serpent; Sengen, the Goddess of Mount Fuji; and other subjects of these timeless myths. In addition, the author has included several invaluable appendixes that offer a helpful note on Japanese poetry, a listing of gods and goddesses, a genealogy of The Age of the Gods, and an index of poetical quotations.

As a lifelong scholar and observer of Japanese culture, Lafcadio Hearn was deeply familiar with the beliefs, attitudes, worldviews, and habits of the country's populace. In this inspiring book, he distills a lifetime worth of knowledge into a series of tips and suggestions that readers can use to cultivate the tranquility and balance that so many Japanese men and women seem to radiate.

Experience the wonder and excitement that Japan's classic tales bring to story time or bedtime with this multicultural children's book. This Japanese children's book welcomes readers to a fantastic world populated by singing turtles, boys who wrestle wolves, and a host of other beloved characters who have lived on for centuries in the traditional tales of Japan. Drawn from Japanese folklore passed down from generation to generation, the six enchanting stories collected in this volume have been lovingly retold for today's readers. Vibrantly illustrated and full of thrilling adventures, funny discoveries, and important lessons, they're sure to become future favorites. Included in this multicultural children's book are some of Japan's best-loved stories: The Rolling Rice Cakes How to Fool a Cat The Princess and the Herdboy Saburo the Eel-Catcher The Singing Turtle Kintaro's AdventuresThese traditional tales, although entertaining, also provide kids with an excellent introduction to Japanese culture. Kintaro's Adventures And Other Japanese Children's Favorite Stories is the answer to anyone searching for traditional Japanese books for children to add to their home library.

This colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book presents several Japanese fairy tales and other folk stories--providing insight into a rich oral culture. Welcome to a fantastic world populated by magical teakettles, long-nosed goblins, brave warriors, and a host of other beloved characters who have lived on for centuries in the traditional tales of Japan. Drawn from Japanese folklore that has been passed down from generation to generation, the nine enchanting stories collected in this volume have been lovingly retold just for today's readers. They make perfect new additions for story time or bedtime reading. Vibrantly illustrated and full of thrilling adventures, funny discoveries and important lessons, they're sure to become story time favorites. Included are some of Japan's best-loving children stories: Peach Boy The Magic Teakettle Monkey-Dance and Sparrow-Dance The Long-Nosed Goblins The Rabbit in the Moon The Rabbit in the Moon The Tongue-Cut Sparrow Sill Saburo The Toothpick Warriors The Sticky-Sticky Pine

With this multicultural children's book, your whole family can experience the wonder and excitement that Japan's classic tales bring to story time or bedtime reading. Welcome to a fantastic world populated by lonely dragons, adventuresome boys, magical elves, and a host of other beloved characters who have lived on for centuries in the traditional tales of Japan. Drawn from folklore passed down from generation to generation, the ten enchanting stories collected in this Japanese book for children have been lovingly retold just for today's readers. Vibrantly illustrated in full color and packed with thrilling adventures, funny discoveries, and valuable lessons, they're sure to become story time favorites. Included are some of Japan's best-loved stories: Urashima Taro The Fairy Crane The Dragon's Tears The Sandal-Seller The Robe of Feathers The Old Man with a Wen The Flying Farmer The Magic Mortar The Biggest in the World Why the Red Elf CriedReaders of any age will find much to love and return to time and time again in Urashima Taro & Other Japanese Children's Favorite Stories. These traditional tales, although entertaining, also provide kids with an inclusive introduction to Japanese culture.

In this entrancing collection, author Grace James brings together an array of Japanese folk tales and fairy tales, all rendered in exquisitely lyrical language. If you're fascinated by the folk traditions of different world cultures, be sure to add The Moon Maiden to your list.

Compiled by a British diplomat and published in 1871,'Tales of Old Japan'is an anthology of short stories that makes earlier centuries of Japanese life vibrantly immediate to the contemporary reader. They focus on various facets of everyday existence in ancient Japan, from numerous rituals, like hara-kiri and marriage, to sermons and fairy tales indicative of desirable traits and warnings needed in that time. From tales of samurai revenge to the plots of Noh theatre plays,'Tales of Old Japan'was regarded as an authoritative text on Japanese culture and literature and greatly influenced Western perceptions of Japanese history and society for many years. Today, this compilation is still valuable for its accessibility and absorbingly entertaining view of ancient Japan.

The member of a distinguished British literary family, A. B. Mitford traveled widely with his parents as a youth and lived in various European countries. From 1866-70, he served as an attaché with the British legation at Edo (Tokyo) — one of the first foreign diplomats to do so. During his brief stay there, Mitford lived through a period of dramatic and tumultuous change in Japanese history. A feudal nation on his arrival, Japan had entered the era of “Westernization” before he left some three years later. During that time, however, he quickly and thoroughly mastered the Japanese language and acted as an interpreter between the young Japanese Emperor and British royalty.Mitford's famous collection of classic tales (the first to appear in English) covers an engrossing array of subjects: grisly accounts of revenge, knightly exploits, ghost stories, fairy tales, folklore, a fascinating eyewitness account of a hara-kiri ceremony, gripping narratives of vampires and samurai, Buddhist sermons, and the plots of four Noh plays.A treasury, as well, of information on most aspects of Japanese life, with information on locales, customs, and characters, the illustrated volume delights as it entertains, chronicling acts of heroism, devotion, ruthlessness, and chivalry that illuminate the island nation's culture.“One of the first and in many ways still one of the best books on Japan.” — The Japanese Times.“An excellent introduction to Japanese literature.” — Mainichi Daily News.

The 15 classic essays collected in Kokoro examine the inner spiritual life of Japan. The title itself can be translated as'heart,''spirit'or'inner meaning,'and that's exactly what this collection teaches us about Japan. Sometimes touching and always compelling, the writings here tell the stories of the people and social codes that make Japan the unique place it is.'Kimiko'paints the portrait of a beautiful geisha;'By Force of Karma'tells the story of a Buddhist monk; and in'A Conservative,'we come to know the thoughts and actions of a Samurai. As an early interpreter of Japan to the West, Lafcadio Hearn was without parallel in his time. His numerous books about that country were read with a fascination that was a tribute to his keen powers of observation and the vividness of his descriptions. Today, even though Japan has changed greatly from what it was when he wrote about it, his writing is still valid, for it captures the essence of the country--an essence that has actually changed a good deal less than outward appearances might suggest. In a word, the Japanese character and the Japanese tradition are still fundamentally the same as Hearn found them to be, and for this reason, his books are still extremely revealing to readers in the West.

Japanese folk performing arts incorporate a body of entertainments that range from the ritual to the secular. They may be the ritual dances at Shinto shrines performed to summon and entertain deities; group dances to drive away disease-bearing spirits; or theatrical mime to portray the tenets of Buddhist teachings. These ritual entertainments can have histories of a thousand years or more and, with such histories, some have served as the inspiration for the urban entertainments of no, kabuki and bunraku puppetry. The flow of that inspiration, however, has not always been one way. Elements taken from these urban forms could also be used to enhance the appeal of ritual dance and drama. And, in time, these urban entertainments too came to be performed in rural or regional settings and today are similarly considered folk performing arts. Professor Terence Lancashire provides a valuable introductory guide to the major performance types as understood by Japanese scholars.

This fully illustrated volume, including an eight-page colour-plate section, is the first in-depth study in English to examine the warrior and shamanic characteristics and significance of tengu in the martial art culture (bugei) of Muromachi Japan (1336-1573). According to Roald Knutsen, who is widely known for his writings on the samurai tradition, prompting his life-long study of tengu – the part-human, part-animal creatures – was the early discovery that the tengu of the Muromachi period were interacting with the deadly serious bugei masters teaching the arts of war. Here were beings who did not conform to the comic, goblin-like creatures of common folklore and were not the creations of the Buddhist priests intent on demonizing that which they did not understand and could not control. As this study shows, the part-hidden tengu under review passed on and taught the clearest theory of tactics and strategy to bushi of the highest calibre, the absorption and mastery of which often decided if the warrior and his clan lived or were annihilated on the all-too-frequent killing grounds of the Muromachi age. Tengu will be widely welcomed in many contexts including studies relating to martial arts, religion and folklore, shamanism and mythology, and the social and military history of Japan.