Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan

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Traveler and naturalist Richard Gordon Smith journeyed in Japan, where he recorded ancient Japanese myths and legends in his 'voluminous illustrated diaries'. The result is a fascinating collection of Japanese historical legends and folktales. Nearly all of them are set in a well-defined time and place, instead of 'once upon a time.' Their themes include ghosts; unrequited love across social boundaries; Shinto landscape, tree and ocean spirits; and tales driven by Bushido and Buddhist ethics. Gordon Smith's style is to re-tell the stories very literally, even when they include supernatural elements. The result is an anthology of Japanese 'magical realist' tales.