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Japanese Legends and Folklore: Samurai Tales, Ghost Stories, Legends, Fairy Tales and Historical Accounts
Japanese Legends and Folklore invites English speakers into the intriguing world of Japanese folktales, ghost stories and historical eyewitness accounts. With a fascinating selection of stories about Japanese culture and history, A.B. Mitford--who lived and worked in Japan as a British diplomat--presents a broad cross section of tales from many Japanese sources. Discover more about practically every aspect of Japanese life--from myths and legends to society and religion.
This book features 30 fascinating Japanese stories,
Thirty-one reproductions of woodblock prints bring the classic tales and essays to life. These influential stories helped shape the West's understanding of Japanese culture. A new foreword by Professor Michael Dylan Foster sheds light on the book's importance as a groundbreaking work of Japanese folklore, literature and history.
This book features 30 fascinating Japanese stories,
Thirty-one reproductions of woodblock prints bring the classic tales and essays to life. These influential stories helped shape the West's understanding of Japanese culture. A new foreword by Professor Michael Dylan Foster sheds light on the book's importance as a groundbreaking work of Japanese folklore, literature and history.
319 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2019
57 people are currently reading
462 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
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February 14, 2025Enkelte historier 5/5
Appendix: DNF (dette ble for tungt) - kommer tilbake til det den dagen jeg skal skrive essay om historien rundt ritualer i Japan
Appendix: DNF (dette ble for tungt) - kommer tilbake til det den dagen jeg skal skrive essay om historien rundt ritualer i Japan
September 5, 2023
Rich and dense
For all Japan enthusiasts, I can't recommend this book enough.
The approach is different, first and foremost in terms of the themes covered: far from the modern stories of the country or the ghost stories, this book allows you to dive into the myths and folklore of Japan like you've never read before. Second, because I've never read such stories!
Admittedly, the book is very dense. It takes a long time to read, and I'm not sure that a linear, uninterrupted read would be best. The stories are interesting, but the style could be described as old-fashioned and tires quickly.
Still, it's a good discovery read that opens up the values, stories and myths of a country that isn't often explained.
For all Japan enthusiasts, I can't recommend this book enough.
The approach is different, first and foremost in terms of the themes covered: far from the modern stories of the country or the ghost stories, this book allows you to dive into the myths and folklore of Japan like you've never read before. Second, because I've never read such stories!
Admittedly, the book is very dense. It takes a long time to read, and I'm not sure that a linear, uninterrupted read would be best. The stories are interesting, but the style could be described as old-fashioned and tires quickly.
Still, it's a good discovery read that opens up the values, stories and myths of a country that isn't often explained.
April 18, 2020
Very interesting mix, as the title suggests. I wasn't aware that it was originally written in the 1800's and I can see there was a reverent care to anthropologize the stories for their cultural sense for a Western audience. I wish there was a bit more mythology included, but given the context, I can see why that was downplayed for more culturally showcasing entries.
September 28, 2024
It's written in an old anthropologic style that can take some getting used too. Some stories I enjoyed but often I felt like the writer was getting in his way. I hope to find a more modern version of this that will help me learn about Japanese folklore through a more modern lense.
March 27, 2022
It was good having some background in the stories being told, but given the era it was written in, it does not make for a quick read.
February 26, 2025
Informative collection of stories, historical and fantastic, that offers valuable insight into what was then a rapidly changing culture.
May 9, 2025
Learnt a bit about the culture and traditions of Edo period Japan but did not find the folk tales particularly interesting
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews