Japanese Fairy Tales

My Lord Bag Of Rice – Japanese Fairy Tales

Japanese Fairy Tales Book Preface

This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.

Grateful acknowledgment is due to Mr. Y. Yasuoka, Miss Fusa Okamoto,my brother Nobumori Ozaki, Dr. Yoshihiro Takaki, and Miss Kameko Yamao, who have helped me with translations.

The story which I have named “The Story of the Man who did not Wish to Die” is taken from a little book written a hundred years ago by one Shinsui Tamenaga. It is named Chosei Furo, or “Longevity.” “The Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-child” is taken from the classic “Taketari Monogatari,” and is NOT classed by the Japanese among their fairy tales, though it really belongs to this class of literature.

In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in adding such touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or as pleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incident from another version. At all times, among my friends, both young and old, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to the beautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I have also found that they were still unknown to the vast majority, and this has encouraged me to write them for the children of the West.

Some feedback from friends on the Aesops fables motivated us to add these colorful Japanese Fairy Tales to the website. Unlike Aesops fables which are relatively short, these are actual tales that are anywhere between 10-25 minutes each.While technically fairy tales, every cultures is a bit different as to what is acceptable to children and at what age. If in doubt please listen yourself to see if it is appropriate for small children. A small example is “The Farmer and the Badger” Where a farmer is in a battle with a mean badger and the badger kills and cuts up the old mans wife and serves her to him for dinner as soup. Your decision whether or not that fits into your evenings read.

1. My Lord Bag of Rice ( Complete Audio Above )
2. The Tongue Sparrow
3. The Story of Urashima Taro,The Fisher Lad
4. The Farmer and the Badger
5. The Shinansha, Or The South Pointing Carriage
6. The Adventures of Kintaro, The Golden Boy
7. The Story of Princess Hase
8. The Bamboo Cutter and The Moon Child
9. The Mirror of Matsuyama
10. The Goblin of Adachigahara
11. The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar
12. The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher
13. The Story of the Old Man That Made Withered Trees to Flower
14. The Jelly Fish and the Monkey
15. The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab
16. The White Hare and the Crocodiles
17. The Story of Prince Yamato Take
18. Momotaro, or the story of the Son of a Peach
19. The Ogre of Rashomon
20. How an Old Man Lost His Wen
21. The Stones of Five Colors and the Empress Jokwa
22. The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish To Die