Legends of Japan

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These twenty-two tales open to Western readers the world of fantasy in the legendary literature of Japan—a world of ogres, monkeys, goblins, and priests, of spell-casting and rescuing people. Rich in variety, Legends of Japan includes tales of the supernatural, magic, and deities, as well as tales of romance and intrigue. The vividness and esthetic appeal of these stories is enhanced by twenty-two woodblock prints from the studio of a modern Japanese illustrator,Masahiko Nishino. The tales are drawn from two Japanese masterpieces of the Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1192-1333) periods. The earlier and main source is the 31-volume Konjaku Monogatari, a collection of tales of Japanese, Chinese, and Indian origin. The other source is the miscellany Tsurezure Gusa, by Kenko Yoshida, a monk of noble birth who was well versed in Japanese and Chinese literature. A reader's delight, this little book distills the color and charm, the wisdom and humor of two great treasuries of...