Long, long ago there was a large plain called Adachigahara, in the province of Mutsu in Japan. This place was said to be haunted by a cannibal goblin who took the form of an old woman. From time to time many travelers disappeared and were never heard of more, and the old women round the…
Category: Japan
Top 5 Tales about seeking Immortality and Immortal beings
The idea for this Top list came when I read about a Startup that wants to upload people’s mind to the cloud. A lethal procedure with an uncertain outcome (read more about Nectome on The Guardian and Business Insider). They are, however, not the only ones and by far not the first ones to dream of immortality….
THE MIRROR OF MATSUYAMA (Tales of Old Japan) by YEI THEODORA OZAKI
Long years ago in old Japan there lived in the Province of Echigo, a very remote part of Japan even in these days, a man and his wife. When this story begins they had been married for some years and were blessed with one little daughter. She was the joy and pride of both their…
THE BAMBOO-CUTTER AND THE MOON-CHILD (Tales of Old Japan) by YEI THEODORA OZAKI
Long, long ago, there lived an old bamboo wood-cutter. He was very poor and sad also, for no child had Heaven sent to cheer his old age, and in his heart there was no hope of rest from work till he died and was laid in the quiet grave. Every morning he went forth into…
Top 5 Folk tales about the “The Hare” – a cunning and deceitful character
In folk and fairy tales around the world the hare is portrayed as a cunning and clever character. Sometimes, as far as I know, especially in African stories, his wittiness is mixed with a vicious deceitfulness (like in “The hare and the quail” or “Sympathy killed Mr. Kapangula” on malamusi.com. Without further ado, here are…
SCHIPPEITARO (The Violet Fairy Book, 1889) by ANDREW LANG
It was the custom in old times that as soon as a Japanese boy reached manhood he should leave his home and roam through the land in search of adventures. Sometimes he would meet with a young man bent on the same business as himself, and then they would fight in a friendly manner, merely…