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Tales of the Samurai
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.
* 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.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1871
34 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford
65 books12 followersAlgernon Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale
Usually published under the name A.B. Mitford.
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.
Usually published under the name A.B. Mitford.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 28, 2022
A great read with wonderful illustrations. However it suffers from some poor editing of the text.
September 7, 2023
This is a collection of old folklore and fairy tales and even some ghost stories.
Supposedly, several of the stories are based. In fact, instead of fiction. This includes a very shortened rendition of the famous 47 ronin story.
Each story has a prologue and an epilogue to help provide context into and around some of the concepts and thoughts of the era that the story takes place. Also to expand on specific cultural beliefs and events.
I found most of the stories to be entertaining and the extra information to be educational. The final chapter is all about the ritual suicide that samurai and other noble classes could hope to perform. In the event of committing a crime. This section drags on a bit too long as he goes in very much in depth to the procedure and people involved.
Overall, it was not a very long read and I am very glad to have read it as it has helped me learn more about some of the cultural aspects of old Japan as well as recognize many that are still alive today.
Supposedly, several of the stories are based. In fact, instead of fiction. This includes a very shortened rendition of the famous 47 ronin story.
Each story has a prologue and an epilogue to help provide context into and around some of the concepts and thoughts of the era that the story takes place. Also to expand on specific cultural beliefs and events.
I found most of the stories to be entertaining and the extra information to be educational. The final chapter is all about the ritual suicide that samurai and other noble classes could hope to perform. In the event of committing a crime. This section drags on a bit too long as he goes in very much in depth to the procedure and people involved.
Overall, it was not a very long read and I am very glad to have read it as it has helped me learn more about some of the cultural aspects of old Japan as well as recognize many that are still alive today.
October 28, 2020
Amazing loved it!!!
Ok so where do we start...oh right so this book was a great book filled with japanese history. I fell in love with this book and how well it was written. I loved the illustrations and i loved the way it came up with presenting. I only have a few issues with the book. Okay so first issue sometimes it felt a little drawn out and my second issue is sometimes if felt a little too short. But overall this was an amazing book. I would definitely recommend this book to a more teenage audience because sometimes it did get a little complicated. I would also recommend this book to people who love japanese history or people who like older styled books. So what do i rate this out of 10 you ask? Probably a solid 9/10 because there is some things (not many) that dragged the book down a little.
Ok so where do we start...oh right so this book was a great book filled with japanese history. I fell in love with this book and how well it was written. I loved the illustrations and i loved the way it came up with presenting. I only have a few issues with the book. Okay so first issue sometimes it felt a little drawn out and my second issue is sometimes if felt a little too short. But overall this was an amazing book. I would definitely recommend this book to a more teenage audience because sometimes it did get a little complicated. I would also recommend this book to people who love japanese history or people who like older styled books. So what do i rate this out of 10 you ask? Probably a solid 9/10 because there is some things (not many) that dragged the book down a little.
December 13, 2025
The stories in the book are all quite good, though I believe they are shortened versions of much longer stories. The main issue with this book is the editing which is full of hundreds of mistakes and misspellings. It’s hard to go a single page without noticing something off in the editing. Regardless, the stories are well written, and some are even inspiring. It is funny to see how the Japanese culture of killing people assumed to be goblins or oni is most likely just the protagonists of these stories killing poor innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The murders are seen as just and heroic in the book, but unless you ascribe yourself to Japanese mythology, these heroes are just slaughtering innocents.
February 9, 2021
A really nice book to have some insights around these feared and at the same time admired warriors from the land of the rising sun. Although I did not appreciate the writing style most of the time, it was an enjoyable book. For those who want to learn more about the legends about the samurai, as well as traditional Japanese folklore, this book is a good starting point.
June 1, 2023
For something presumably done as a cheap way to make a buck (adding public domain images to public domain writing) it’s actually phenomenally well done. The pictures really do add a lot, either literally or atmospherically, and even the borders change based on what’s going on in the various plots. A good book to read while pacing in a circle to get enough steps to win a game.
November 7, 2024
Richly illustrated compact hardcover sans dust jacket, reproduced from original work by author. Some interesting and insightful information some downright brutal and which boggles the mind. Well-written and easy to comprehend despite the misunderstanding of the rituals. Good tales, interesting superstitions and folklore. Good history.
July 25, 2020
Awesome
Read
March 7, 2021forgot stuff
May 11, 2022
Really probably a 3.5 for me. Has some great information about a topic I enjoy reading about. The older style of writing was at times appreciated and other times not.
January 18, 2024
Nice introduction to a classic I haven’t been exposed to before, sort of a Japanese Grimms Fairy Tales.
July 13, 2025
So many tales. So little time.
August 27, 2022
Did not actually finish. Pretty boring. But the pictures were cool.
March 19, 2021
Sort of a Japan-focused version of 1,001 Arabian Nights. This version in particular is beautifully designed and illustrated.
March 25, 2022
Enjoyed the tales! Very amazing artwork as well.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews