The Yellow Jar: Two Tales From Japanese Tradition

Songs of Our Ancestors #1

by Patrick Atangan

Presents comic book adapations of Japanese legends, including the tale of a fisherman who finds a maiden in a jar.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Japan, Fiction, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Comics, Mythology

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deserves a slow clap and a standing ovation. The two stories are truly great but I would choose the first one that carried this book to pure gold. This book is enjoyable from start to finish and I like Atangan's storytelling. His artwork is amazing too and you'll enjoy looking at it as if a Japanese artist did the illustration. This one should be read first by folks who loves Asian legends and tales.

[ComicNerdSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine stories, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it need to push some things farther with the art. It’s all fine and good to stay true to the art period you’re going for but It could have been more intense.

[Kokeshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful mini graphic novel including the two short stories The Yellow Jar and Two Chrysanthemum Maidens. Each picture is a work of art that deserves to be framed and contemplated. Both stories are simple and traditional in style, but have a curious darkness that makes them incredibly interesting. Personally I preferred the story of the Two Chrysanthemum Maidens for its sense of "karma" - a good lesson for all.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traditional stories retold. Good, clean art in the Japanese style.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated Japanese folktales. The morals and the figurative imagery shine.

[Victoria Minton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two beautiful tales that pay homage to Japanese folk lore and some beautiful artwork as well. These stories took me back to being a child that devoured folk tales and it was a fun little switch up from my normal reads

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two Japanese folktales were well told. They really had the feel. I deeply enjoyed both of them. I thought that using the names of haiku masters for some of the characters was cute. Worth a read.

[Lolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun (and very beautiful) peek into Japanese mythology. I luv it. (●´ω｀●)

[Eric Wrightson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read, but definitely worthwhile. I think tales from other cultures should be required in the United States, so I'm putting it in my student library!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atangan's art style is fantastic and both tales were presented in a lovely flow. Definitely would love a copy for my bookshelf

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations and the two tales were very good.

[Advika · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Engaging mystery and suspense
- Beautifully crafted characters
- Thought-provoking themes of identity
- Vivid, descriptive writing style
- Intriguing plot twists throughout

[Corinne Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is truly a work of art. Atangan's art is amazing - nearly every frame could be an 18th century Japanese woodblock print. The style of his drawings transports you to ancient Japan where you first follow the story of a fisherman's quest to save his wife (whom he found inside the yellow jar of the title) from a demon warrior. The second story is of a gardener who mistakes two beautiful flowers for weeds and learns his lesson in the end.

I liked the stories themselves because they are familiar - yet with a definite eastern flavor. The farmer, while plain at first, becomes a hero in the end. The gardener doesn't see what's under his nose. You still get the same messages about honesty and faithfulness, courage and rewards. I suppose by changing a few words or characters they could be any Disney story - but the artwork and those subtle variations make for a more flavorful book. The writing wasn't particularly thrilling (a bit too dry for younger readers, I'd say) but the stories were well told. In the end, though, it was the author's mastery of Japanese style that made this book a winner for me.

A fine taste of Japanese folklore and artwork. Left me wanting more.

[Mike Aragona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I must admit that I am very impressed by the quality and type of books under the NBM banner. A niche market, perhaps, of presenting books like this, but definitely needed to counter-balance the overload of junk being published by too many others.[return][return]That said, The Yellow Jar, being a visual representation of Japanese traditional tales is a beautiful book. The art, crisp and vibrant, is drawn in the style of olden times (or, as said in the book's description: "in the ukiyo-e style (world of floating pictures)").[return][return]The two stories, as all folklore, are morality tales teaching a message by means of a visual imagery filled with acceptance and understanding of the unexplainable and unbelievable. This book is simply wonderful.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully drawn graphic novel in the style of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. Two Japanese folktales are included. In "The Yellow Jar," a simple fisherman rescues a sleeping woman floating on the sea in a yellow jar. Some time later she is imprisoned by a demon warrior and the fisherman, armed only with a broken sword, has to rescue her from the demon's fortress. In the second story, "Two Chrysanthemum Maidens," a monk finds two weeds in the shape of graceful women have planted themselves in his carefully tended garden. He wants them to leave; they want to stay. As the seasons progress, he realizes that they each have their own beauty.

[Charlotte Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a random read from Scribd that I picked up because I wanted to be introduced to some Japanese traditional tales.

As a graphic novel it is very unusual because the art is in a very traditional Japanese style that you would unusually see in woodcut art, but the illustrations completely suited the stories.

I much preferred the title story to the second one as it was a lot longer and more developed but I did enjoy this book overall and will probably read the second collection in the series.

If you are interested in Japanese folklore, do give this a go as I think the format and storytelling was unusual compared to other books I’ve read.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very traditional Japanese graphics present this traditional Japanese tale of true love. A fisherman finds a large yellow jar on a fishing expedition. When he opens the jar he finds a beautiful woman inside. He revives her, but buries the jar and lies to her about her origin. The one thing she has demanded is that they never lie to one another. Eventually she finds out the buried jar, know he has lied and leaves. The man realizes his mistake and sets out to find her. His love and ingenuity, not his strength win the day.

[Elizabeth Ferry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories not so great but the artwork is - art nouveau style, warm colors. Also, the editing of the text was sloppy. I found a few simple typos that seem like they should have been easy to catch before book was printed.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Yellow Jar includes two illustrated versions of classic Japanese legends. The book boasts some lovely Japanese-style artwork. The stories hold readers’ interest, but there’s not much to say about them by way of women’s rights.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

One cannot deny that the artwork is beautiful but the stories are simple and lack a mainstream climax. I was disappointed.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two wonderful stories with beautiful artwork.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Las ilustraciones son preciosas pero las leyendas son algo aburridas

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short stories with beautiful traditional Japanese art. The two stories are told quickly and let the reader understand the moral. I enjoyed the very quick read.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful rendition of two Japanese folk tales. Atangan did great work here and I love that NBM publishing is printing such high quality, graphic novel versions of folk tales.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good version of a traditional tale. Occasionally, the art interferes with the script, but overall, this artwork is a pleasure to see.

[DJ Dycus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atangan's style is evocative of Ukiyo-e. Two interesting stories from Japanese mythology.

[Xilks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories. Suited for a younger audience.

[Gig Wailgum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done graphic novella in the Japanese vein of Art and story telling.

[Sarahanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is lovely. The text captures that "wait - what just happened?" feeling that I usually get from folk stories.

Nice stories nicely told.