Japanese Fairy Tales

by Iwaya Sazanami

One day he sallied forth in search of adventures, for he had the nature of a warrior and could not bear to be idle. So he buckled on his two swords, took his huge bow, much taller than himself, in his hand, and slinging his quiver on his back started out. He had not gone far when he came to the bridge of Seta-no-Karashi spanning one end of the beautiful Lake Biwa. No sooner had he set foot on the bridge than he saw lying right across his path a huge serpent-dragon. Its body was so big that it looked like the trunk of a large pine tree and it took up the whole width of the bridge. One of its huge claws rested on the parapet of one side of the bridge, while its tail lay right against the other. The monster seemed to be asleep, and as it breathed, fire and smoke came out of its nostrils.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

(1870–1933), Japanese novelist, editor, playwright, critic, and storyteller, a pioneer of Japanese children's literature in the Meiji era. Iwaya, whose real name was Iwaya Sueo, achieved popular success with Koganemaru.

Reviews

[Imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This funny little yellow book has eight Japanese fairy tales in it. Like it says, I guess. When I saw it, I was like man I know a lot about European fairy tales, but nothin about fairy tales anywhere else really, so I bought it.

And it was friggin rad, but it made me want to read more to have a context for it, because, while it is awesome to see a crab be a crab in a story, but illustrated as a crab head with a person body, I don't really know what to do with that contradiction. Y'know, in my brain.

Also I love how okay I am with violence, decapitation and revenge in fairy tales when I don't tolerate them, like, anywhere else. Except Cloverfield. Which basically is an awesome fairy tale. So whatever.

Anyway, yeah, this little thing worked as a gateway drug to more books about Japanese fairy tales. I'll keep you posted.

[Alexandra Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, I can sum up Japanese Fairy Tales in one word: REVENGE.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

These six tales by the legendary Japanese storyteller Iwaya Sazanami have many characteristics of classic European fairy tales. In “Momotaro,” an old, childless couple have their wish for a son granted via magic. That son then goes off to fight a set of ogres that have terrorized the local people for years. As is usual in such stories, he comes back to his parents a hero, having vanquished the entire team of ogres.
There are many sentient creatures that exhibit human traits, there are cruel and avaricious humans and others that are very kind. In many ways, the characters are similar to what appears in the European fairy tales. There are many reasons why Sazanami is called the Japanese equivalent of Grimm of Germany. Like the Grimm fairy tales, Sazanami simply collated and organized rather than wrote these stories of ancient Japan.
Despite the large cultural differences between populations, when examining fairy tales, it is easy to recognize how similar humans are.

[Sinee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say I have a mixed feeling toward this book. This book consists of 6 Japanese fables with each have different stories in it. Some of the story I have heard of them before since it is a well known old Japanese fable stories ( Momotaro for example). All stories have animal being involve in the contexts of the book with illustrations making it more interesting. I would say what makes me having a mixed feeling is that it involve a lot of killing, some violence and revenge in the plot which may seem too much for a fable book. Overall, I think it is a good read and it does give glimpses of Japanese traditions, cultures and out messages and lesson in each story ( don't trust things or people easily, don't judge a book by its cover, be grateful and happy for what you have)

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this interesting collection of Japanese fairy tales. They feature a lot of animals but they're definitely not for North American children. Some of these characters get nasty. Still, you can see where some of the themes and mores modern Japanese Anime come from.
Well worth a look if you have any interest in traditional Japanese culture.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man met an elderly woman in the country while on his way to town. She seemed to be homeless and said she needed medicine for her daughter. After helping her, he walked her home to find they were living in a cave. He was taken with her pale skinned beautiful daughter and they continued to see each other everyday.

Over time the mom and daughter decided to tell the man the truth about themselves. They were foxes. They thought he’d never return. He was speechless and went home. He felt very lonely and soon went back to their cave. But there was no cave entrance anymore. Only the huge rock. They were gone and no one ever saw them again.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good grief - like, two people die at least per story. Children and bloody fairytales. *shakes head*

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very dark, the Japanese Grimm but fantastic.