Tales of Old Japan (1871) is an anthology of short stories compiled by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, Lord Redesdale, writing under the better known name of A.B. Mitford. These stories focus on various aspects of Japanese life before the Meiji Restoration. The book, which was written in 1871, forms an introduction to Japanese literature and culture, both through the stories, all adapted from Japanese sources, and Mitford's supplementary notes. Also included are Mitford's eyewitness accounts of a selection of Japanese rituals, ranging from harakiri (seppuku) and marriage to a selection of sermons.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1876.

The 20 tales contained in this volume were chosen which because they are not familiar to the English-reading public, so be prepared for the richness of original, ancient Japanese knowledge and lore. Another factor in their selection was because of their beauty and charm of incident and colour, than with the aim to represent the many-sided subject of Japanese lore. Herein you will find tales like: The Birth-Time Of The Gods, The Sun-Goddess, The Heavenly Messengers, The Palace Of The Ocean-Bed, The Star-Lovers, The Island Of Eternal Youth, The Moon-Maiden plus many more. They account for the tales from the God-period contained in the “Kojiki and the Nihongi”—“The Records of Ancient Matters”compiled in the 8th C. AD and profess to outline the events of the cycles of years from the time of Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi-no-kami’s birth, at the beginning of time, to the death of the Empress Suiko in A.D. 628. The first six tales in this little volume are founded on some of the most significant and picturesque incidents of this God-period. The opening legend gives a brief relation of the birth of several of the great Shinto deities, of the creation of Japan and of the world, of the Orpheus-like descent of Izanagi to Hades, and of his subsequent fight with the demons. So, we invite you to download and curl up with this unique sliver of Eastern culture not seen in print for over a century; and immerse yourself in the tales and fables of yesteryear. ---------------------------- TAGS: fairy tales, folklore, myths, legends, children’s stories, children’s stories, bygone era, fairydom, fairy land, classic stories, children’s bedtime stories, fables, Old world, japan, oriental, east, Japanese deities, Birth-Time, Sun-Goddess, Heavenly Messengers, Prince, princess, king, queen, Ruddy-Plenty, Palace, Ocean Bed, Autumn, Spring, Star Lovers, star-crossed, Island, Eternal Youth, Rai-Taro, Son, daughter, Thunder God, Souls, Moon Maiden, Great Fir Tree, Takasago, Willow, Mukochima, Forest, Vision, Tsunu Princess, Fire Fly, Sparrow, Wedding, Love, Snow White, Fox, Nedzumi, Koma, Gon

Grisly accounts of revenge and knightly exploits, a fascinating eyewitness account of a hara-kiri ceremony, tales of vampires and samurai, Buddhist sermons, and the plots of four Noh plays. 38 illustrations.

Herein are 11 illustrated children’s tales from Old India, all with lessons to equip children for life. In this volume you will find the stories of: * The White Elephant * The Grain of Corn * The Timid Little Rabbit * Singh Rajah and the Cunning Little Jackals * The Kingdom of Mouseland * The Alligator and the Jackal * The Bold Blackbird * The Kid and the Tiger * The Brahmin and the Tiger * The Bear’s Bad Bargain * The Man Who Rode a Tiger These old, old tales from India have been favorites for many, many years; some have come down to us from the early days of Buddha and beyond. Some have been taken from a book, called the “Jataka Tales,” (also published by Abela Publishing) telling of the Buddha’s previous existences. Others have been translated from the Pali, or Magadhan, by Eugene Watson Burlinghame, and they have also been retold for us in attractive form by Ellen C. Babbitt. These stories are somewhat similar to stories which we have all known in another form; for instance, our first story of “The White Elephant” is somewhat like the story of Androcles and the lion. While the story of “The Timid Little Rabbit” is like the old English tale of “Chicken Little.” “The Story of the Grain of Corn” (which is repeated from “Tales of the Punjab” by Flora Annie Steel) compares with our well-known version of “The Old Woman and the Pig.” In this same book, we find the story of “The Bear’s Bad Bargain,” and we learn how a stupid and clumsy bear is outwitted by a grasping old woman and her greedy husband. Even if they have the best of the bargain, our sympathies are all with the poor old bear. “The King of the Mice,” “The Bold Blackbird,” and“The Kid and the Tiger” (retold from “The Talking Thrush and Other Tales from India) are all stories of the triumph of the weak and cunning over the brutish and strong. “The Bold Blackbird” may remind you of the old French tale of“Drakesbill and His Friends.” So sit back with a steamy beverage and be prepared to be entertained for many-an-hour. 10% of the net sale will be donated to charities by the publisher. ============== KEYWORDS/ Tales from Old India, fairy tales, folklore, myths, legends, children’s stories, childrens stories, bygone era, fairydom, ethereal, fairy land, classic stories, children’s bedtime stories, happy place, happiness, White Elephant, Grain of Corn, Timid Little Rabbit, Singh Rajah, Cunning Little Jackals, Kingdom of Mouseland, Alligator and the Jackal, Bold Blackbird, Kid and the Tiger, Brahmin and the Tiger, Bear’s Bad Bargain, Man Who Rode a Tiger, moral tales, lessons for life, life lessons

This is the first collection by W. H. D. Rouse of 28 charming folk tales from India. The book is illustrated with 51 pen and ink drawings by – W. Heath Robinson, who is more famous for his illustrations of elaborate machines than he is for illustrations of children’s books. Herein you will find stories like: The Giant Crab, The Hypocritical Cat, The Crocodile And The Monkey, The Wise Parrot And The Foolish Parrot The Dishonest Friend The Mouse And The Farmer The Talkative Tortoise The Goblin And The Sneeze The Foolish Farmer And The King The Pious Wolf Birds Of A Feather The King’s Lesson; plus many, many more. Be sure to check out “The Giant Crab Children's Colouring Book” in which all 51 images can be found. Instead of being a single-use colouring book, this book is multi-use allowing you print, and reprint images, as much as you, and your children, like. It can be downloaded at https://goo.gl/2aB9R1 But be warned, this book was compiled in a time long before political correctness had been thought of, and the stories are from well before this time as well. These stories were told to teach children the consequences of behaving well or breaking the law. While not all those who broke the law paid the ultimate price, some did, but most got off with a warning after being found out. =========== KEYWORDS/TAGS: Giant Crab, India, folklore, fairy tales, W H D Rouse, old India, illustrations, Heath Robinson, Giant Crab, Other Stories, Hypocritical Cat, Crocodile and the Monkey, Axe, the Drum the Bowl and the Diamond, Wise Parrot and the Foolish Parrot, Dishonest Friend, Mouse and the Farmer, Talkative Tortoise, Monkeys and the Gardener, Goblin, Sneeze, Grateful Beasts, Ungrateful Prince, Goblin in the Pool, Foolish Farmer, King, Pious Wolf, Birds of a Feather, Spend a Pound, Win a Penny, Cunning Crane, Giant Crab, Union is Strength, Silence is Golden, Great Yellow King, Porter, Quail, Falcon, Pride, Fall, Bold Beggar, Jackal Would A-Wooing Go, Lion, Boar, Goblin City, Lacknose, King’s Lesson

Provides an invaluable and very accessible addition to existing biographic sources and references, not least because of the supporting biographies of major writers and the historical and cultural notes provided.

Over the last few decades, anime has consistently come into fruitful contact with themes, images and symbols associated with the fairy tale tradition. This critical text focuses on the ways in which fundamental principles of the fairy tale tradition are deployed, and hence come to manifest themselves narratively and cinematographically, in anime. Topics covered include modes of storytelling, aesthetics, as well as dramatic, ethical, psychological and social considerations. Of particular interest is the way in which allegorical commentaries on cultural and historical issues are illustrated in anime.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.