Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai
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.
1007067837
Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai
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.
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Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai

Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai

by A. B. Mitford
Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai

Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai

by A. B. Mitford

Paperback

$16.95 
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Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780486440620
Publisher: Dover Publications
Publication date: 03/24/2005
Pages: 320
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface
The Forty-Seven Ronins
The Loves of Gompachi and Komurasaki
The Kazuma's Revenge
A Story of the Otokodaté of Yedo
The Wonderful Adventures of Funakoshi Jiuyémon
The Eta Maiden and the Hatamoto
Fairy Tales
The Tongue-cut Sparrow
The Accomplished and Lucky Tea-Kettle
The Crackling Mountain
The Story of the Old Man who made Withered Trees to Blossom
The Battle of the Ape and the Crab
The Adventures of Little Peachling
The Foxes' Wedding
The History of Sakata Kintoki
The Elves and the Envious Neighbour
The Ghost of Sakura
How Tajima Shumé was tormented by a Devil of his own Creation
Concerning Certain Superstitions
The Vampire Cat of Nabéshima
The Story of the Faithful Cat
How a Man was Bewitched and had his Head Shaved by the Foxes
The Grateful Foxes
The Badger's Money
The Prince and the Badger
Japanese Sermons
Sermons I-III
Appendices
An Account of the Hara-Kiri
The Marriage Ceremony
On the Birth and Rearing of Children
Funeral Rites
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