Author: Royall Taylor
Publisher: Pantheon
Publication Date: 2002 (1980)
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Genre: Folklore & Myth
Source: Xmas Gift
Here are two hundred and twenty dazzling tales from medieval Japan, tales that welcome us into a fabulous, faraway world populated by saints and scoundrels, ghosts and magical healers, and a vast assortment of deities and demons. Stories of miracles, visions of hell, jokes, fables, and legends, these tales reflect the Japanese worldview during a classic period in Japanese civilization. Masterfully edited and translated by the acclaimed translator of The Tale of Genji, these stories ably balance the lyrical and the dramatic, the ribald and the profound, offering a window into a long-vanished though perennially fascinating culture.
Japanese Tales is another delightful collection from the Pantheon folklore and myth series. Within these 400 pages are a wonderful mix of tales, separated into sets of six or so by topic. There is plenty of humour and drama, with, surely, a tale or two to please everyone. This was my first proper foray into Japanese folklore and I really enjoyed reading these diverse stories. Recommended for folklore fans and those interested in Japanese culture.
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