Folktales from the Japanese Countryside (World Folklore (Hardcover))

From one of Japan's most popular and respected storytellers, this collection introduces readers to more than 40 wonderous tales from rural Japan—many that have not previously been seen or heard—from animal tales and tales of supernatural beings to stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices. It's a fascinating assortment that will delight young listeners, intrigue older readers, and offer scholars new insights. Background on the country and Japanese culture, notes on the tales, a glossary, recipes, games and crafts, and color photos and illustrations enhance the collection. All levels.As in many countries, storytelling is a revered art in Japan, and traditional tales have been carefully preserved for centuries. Yet only a small portion of Japan's tales has been shared with English-speaking audiences. From one of Japan's most popular and respected storytellers, this collection introduces readers to more than 40 wondrous tales from rural Japan—stories that have not previously been seen or heard—from animal tales and tales of supernatural beings to stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices. CONTENTS......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 12 A Brief History of Japan......Page 14 Historical Highlights......Page 16 Modern Period: 1868 to the Present......Page 18 Oral Tradition in Japanese Literature......Page 22 Japanese Folktales in Modern Times......Page 23 Storytelling in Japan Today......Page 24 About These Stories......Page 26 Map of Japan......Page 28 Part 1: Stories of Animals......Page 30 Owl’s Paint Shop......Page 32 Sparrow and Swallow......Page 34 The Tale of the Lizards’ Tails......Page 35 The Fourth Leg......Page 36 Mouse Teeth......Page 38 Earthworm and Snake......Page 41 Sky Watcher......Page 42 Bracken and Snake......Page 45 Melting Grass......Page 47 The Mice Make a Pilgrimage......Page 49 Part 2: Stories of Village People......Page 52 Table Manners......Page 54 Plant of Forgetfulness......Page 58 Peach Peddler......Page 61 Mask of Oni......Page 64 Doctor Who Dropped His Eye......Page 67 Boy with a Runny Nose......Page 69 The God of Poverty......Page 72 Two Strong Men......Page 76 Baka Musuko......Page 78 Foolish Greetings......Page 79 Tea-chestnut-persimmon-vinegar......Page 81 Pickle Bath......Page 83 Scary Snack......Page 85 Part 3: Stories of Priests and Apprentices......Page 88 Sutra of the Mouse......Page 90 The Floating Coffin......Page 93 A Debate in Sign Language......Page 95 Fu Fu Pata Pata......Page 98 New House Mochi......Page 100 How Much Rice?......Page 101 Part 4: Stories of Strange Happenings......Page 102 A Poet’s Ghost......Page 104 Spirits of Old Things......Page 106 You Are Watched......Page 108 The Home of the Bush Warbler......Page 110 Snow Woman......Page 117 Part 5: Stories of Yamanbas......Page 120 Mr. Sun’s Chain......Page 122 A Wife Who Doesn’t Eat......Page 126 Clothes Bleached in the Moonlight......Page 130 Picking Mountain Pears......Page 133 Old Woman’s Skin......Page 137 Part 6: Stories of Supernatural Creatures......Page 142 The Moon Sticks Out Its Tongue......Page 144 Spooky Tanuki Music......Page 145 Tanuki Who Turned into a Die......Page 148 The Fox Barber......Page 150 Fox Teakettle......Page 154 A Hoin Monk and a Fox......Page 158 Kappas......Page 162 Kappa’s Paper......Page 163 A Kappa and a Fish Peddler......Page 165 Part 7: Food, Games, and Crafts......Page 168 Mochi......Page 170 Coconut Mochi......Page 171 Botamochi......Page 172 Kappa Sushi Rolls......Page 174 Home Style Miso Soup......Page 176 Green Tea Ice Cream......Page 177 Shopping List......Page 178 Games......Page 179 Crafts......Page 182 Appendix A: Comments and Notes......Page 188 Stories of Animals......Page 189 Stories of Village People......Page 192 Stories of Priests and Apprentices......Page 198 Stories of Strange Happenings......Page 200 Stories of Yamanbas......Page 202 Stories of Supernatural Creatures......Page 206 Glossary......Page 210 Bibliography......Page 216 Index......Page 220 About the Editor and Contributors......Page 224 As In Many Countries, Storytelling Is A Revered Art In Japan, And Traditional Tales Have Been Carefully Preserved For Centuries. Yet Only A Small Portion Of Japan's Tales Has Been Shared With English-speaking Audiences. From One Of Japan's Most Popular And Respected Storytellers, This Collection Introduces Readers To More Than 40 Wondrous Tales From Rural Japan-stories That Have Not Previously Been Seen Or Heard-from Animal Tales And Tales Of Supernatural Beings To Stories About Village Characters And Priests And Their Apprentices -- Back Cover. Preface -- A Brief History Of Japan By Harold Wright -- Map Of Japan -- Storytelling In Japan By Miki Sakurai -- About These Stories -- Stories Of Animals -- Owl's Paint Shop -- Sparrow And Swallow -- The Tale Of The Lizards' Tails -- The Fourth Leg -- Mouse Teeth -- Earthworm And Snake -- Sky Watcher -- Bracken & Snake -- Melting Grass -- The Mice Make A Pilgrimage -- Stories Of Village People -- Table Manners -- Plant Of Forgetfulness -- Peach Peddler -- Mask Of Oni -- Doctor Who Dropped His Eye -- Boy With A Runny Nose -- The God Of Poverty -- Strong Men -- Foolish Greetings -- Tea-chestnut-persimmon-vinegar -- Pickle Bath -- Scary Snack -- Stories Of Priests And Apprentices -- Sutra Of The Mouse -- The Floating Coffin -- A Debate In Sign Language -- Fu Fu Pata Pata -- New House Mochi -- How Much Rice? -- Stories Of Strange Happenings -- Spirits Of Old Things -- A Poet's Ghost -- You Are Watched -- The Home Of The Bush Warbler -- Snow Woman -- Stories Of Yamanbas -- Mr. Sun's Chain. A Wife Who Doesn't Eat -- Clothes Bleached In The Moonlight -- Picking Mountain Pears -- Old Woman's Skin -- Stories Of Supernatural Creatures -- The Moon Sticks Out Its Tongue -- Spooky Tanuki Music -- Tanuki Who Turned Into A Die -- Fox Barber -- Fox Teakettle -- A Hoin Monk And A Fox -- Kappa's Paper -- A Kappa And A Fish Peddler -- Color Photos -- Food, Games, And Crafts -- Recipes -- Mochi -- Botamochi -- Kappa Rolls -- Miso Soup -- Green Tea -- Macha/green Tea Ice Cream -- Games -- Fox Exercises -- Rock, Paper, Scissors -- Crafts -- Handkerchief Mouse -- One-line Mouse -- Kappa Toy -- Kappa Trick -- Comments And Notes -- Guide To Words In This Book -- Pronunciation Guide -- Glossary -- Chants -- Sound Effects -- Types Of Japanese Storytellers -- Bibliography -- Index -- About The Contributors. As Told By Hiroko Fujita ; Edited By Fran Stallings With Harold Wright And Miki Sakurai. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 187-189) And Index. From one of Japan's most popular and respected storytellers, this collection introduces readers to more than 40 wonderous tales from rural Japanmany that have not previously been seen or heardfrom animal tales and tales of supernatural beings to stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices. It's a fascinating assortment that will delight young listeners, intrigue older readers, and offer scholars new insights. Background on the country and Japanese culture, notes on the tales, a glossary, recipes, games and crafts, and color photos and illustrations enhance the collection. All levels. As in many countries, storytelling is a revered art in Japan, and traditional tales have been carefully preserved for centuries. Yet only a small portion of Japan's tales has been shared with English-speaking audiences. From one of Japan's most popular and respected storytellers, this collection introduces readers to more than 40 wondrous tales from rural Japanstories that have not previously been seen or heardfrom animal tales and tales of supernatural beings to stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices. From one of Japan's most popular and respected storytellers, more than 40 traditional Japanese stories--animal tales, tales of supernatural beings, stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices, and more