Once Upon a Time in Japan - # 3

by Sayumi Kawauchi, Ralph F. McCarthy

127 pages Published November 20th 1987 by Kodansha International

128 pages, Paperback Bunko

First published November 20, 1987

Reviews

[Emily Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kintaro was my childhood hero. This book I have owned since I think before I could read, yet it still resides in my shelf of favorite books. I loved every story in this book, poured over them as if they gained more details each time, and in my dreams befriended every one of Kintaro's animal friends. Of course I did love all the stories, not just the one about Kintaro, but it was the artwork for that particular story that drew me in every time.

[Ensō Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this charming little read up in a charity shop and it quickly earned itself a cherished spot on my bookshelf. I identify as a man, and I am in my thirties - essentially this is a book of fairytales for children originating from Japan, so I knew exactly what to expect. Perhaps my adoration for this collection of short stories was no surprise seeing that I’m a big fan of studio ghibli films. And perhaps therefore my review is biased. But I don’t care, so there! :P
This is book 3 in the series and I will be looking fervently for the others.

[Steffanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the cutest little compilation of stories ever!

It's comprised of 10 short stories/tales/fables.

1. Genbei the Duck-Hunter
2. Kintaro
3. The Bamboo-Cutter's Tale
4. Why the Sea is Salty
5. Sleepyhead Taro
6. Old Folk's Mountain
7. The Tengu Who Loved Sake
8. The Sparrow's Tongue
9. Portrait of the Bride
10. Urashima Taro

They are all awesome, and I think well known by Japanese people. So it was really interesting for me to read the Japanese versions of stories like The Turtle and Hair, or the Mouse and the Lion.

Old Folk's Mountain was really moving...

I really enjoyed this, even though it was super simple English. この小さい本大好きですね！