Myths and Legends of Japan

Rating:
Summary: Japanese folktales: a treasure from the past
Review: F. Hadland Davis's "Myths of Legends of Japan" was first published in 1913, and therein lies a tale. Its written style and the breadth of territory that it covers are all typical of the turn-of-the-century studies produced by Westerners newly fascinated by Japan. So too are the lack of an intellectual framework for putting the contents into context and a manner of romanizing Japanese that has long been left behind. These shortcomings notwithstanding, Davis's work is a most readable compendium that contains the texts of many traditional Japanese folktales, some but a paragraph long and others that run to a few pages. If your interest in Japanese folktales is to read to children, seek out other books specifically designed and illustrated for that purpose. On the other hand, if your interest relates to a study of Japanese art, religion, folk customs, literature, anthropology, or early history, do acquire this book but pair it with the more rigorously structured "Japanese Tales" from Royall Tyler.

Rating:
Summary: Japanese folktales: a treasure from the past
Review: F. Hadland Davis's "Myths of Legends of Japan" was first published in 1913, and therein lies a tale. Its written style and the breadth of territory that it covers are all typical of the turn-of-the-century studies produced by Westerners newly fascinated by Japan. So too are the lack of an intellectual framework for putting the contents into context and a manner of romanizing Japanese that has long been left behind. These shortcomings notwithstanding, Davis's work is a most readable compendium that contains the texts of many traditional Japanese folktales, some but a paragraph long and others that run to a few pages. If your interest in Japanese folktales is to read to children, seek out other books specifically designed and illustrated for that purpose. On the other hand, if your interest relates to a study of Japanese art, religion, folk customs, literature, anthropology, or early history, do acquire this book but pair it with the more rigorously structured "Japanese Tales" from Royall Tyler.