Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan

by Richard Gordon Smith

Overview

This enthralling collection brings together over 50 ancient tales from Japanese folklore, gathered and retold by 19th century traveler and naturalist Richard Gordon Smith.

During his journeys around Japan, Smith recorded ancient Japanese myths and legends in his personal diaries. The result is a fascinating collection of historical legends from all over Japan, with themes including ghosts, unrequited love, Shinto landscape, tree and ocean spirits, samurai culture and tales driven by Bushido and Buddhist ethics.

Gordon Smith's writing combines a realist style with supernatural elements, resulting in an anthology of 'magic realist' tales which will bewitch and captivate readers.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus World Mythology series brings together captivating retellings of myths and legends from different oral traditions, from Greek and Roman to Norse and Native American, offering rich insight into their cultures and beliefs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781398836112
Publisher:	Arcturus Publishing Limited
Publication date:	07/02/2024
Series:	Arcturus World Mythology , #9
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

R. Gordon Smith (1858-1918) was a celebrated English naturalist and travel writer who spent many years in Japan, recording the customs, culture and mythology. He was awarded the Fourth Order of the Rising Sun in Japan.

Table of Contents

1. The Golden Hairpin................................................................... 9
2. The Spirit of the Willow Tree ................................................. 17
3. Ghost of the Violet Well.......................................................... 23
4. Ghost Story of the Flute's Tomb............................................. 29
5. A Haunted Temple in Inaba Province.................................... 36
6. A Carp Gives a Lesson in Perseverance.................................. 42
7. Legends Told by a Fisherman on Lake Biwa, at Zeze........... 45
8. A Miraculous Sword................................................................. 52
9. 'The Procession of Ghosts'........................................................ 56
10. A Faithful Servant.................................................................... 59
11. Prince Hosokawa's Most Valuable Title-Deeds.................... 63
12. The Story of Kato Sayemon.................................................... 66
13. Great Fire Caused by a Lady's Dress...................................... 71
14. History of Awoto Fujitsuna .................................................... 76
15. A Life Saved by a Spider and Two Doves............................... 78
16. Murakami Yoshiteru's Faithfulness........................................ 82
17. A Story of Oki Islands.............................................................. 86
18. Cape of the Woman's Sword.................................................... 93
19. How Yogodayu Won a Battle................................................... 98
20. The Isolated or Desolated Island...........................................101
21. Chikubu Island, Lake Biwa....................................................106
22. Reincarnation...........................................................................111
23. The Diving-Woman of Oiso Bay...........................................114
24. Theft and Recovery of a Golden Kwannon..........................120
25. Saigyo Hoshi's Rock................................................................125
26. How Masakuni Regained his Sight ......................................130
27. Sagami Bay...............................................................................134
28. The King of Torijima..............................................................139
29. The Perpetual Life-Giving Wine...........................................147
30. The Hermit's Cave ..................................................................151
31. Yosoji's Camellia Tree.............................................................155
32. Whales..................................................................................... 161
33. The Holy Cherry Tree of Musubi-No-Kami Temple.........165
34. A Story of Mount Kanzanrei................................................ 170
35. White Bone Mountain...........................................................175
36. A Stormy Night's Tragedy..................................................... 181
37. The Kakemono Ghost of Aki Province................................187
38. White Saké...............................................................................194
39. The Blind Beauty.................................................................... 198
40. The Secret of Iidamachi Pond................................................204
41. The Spirit of Yenoki............................................................... 208
42. The Spirit of the Lotus Lily....................................................214
43. The Temple of the Awabi...................................................... 219
44. Human Fireflies...................................................................... 225
45. The Chrysanthemum Hermit............................................... 229
46. The Princess Peony.................................................................232
47. The Memorial Cherry Tree................................................... 237
48. The 'Jirohei' Cherry Tree, Kyoto........................................... 241
49. The Snow Ghost..................................................................... 245
50. The Snow Tomb......................................................................249