Burton Watson and Haruo Shirane, renowned translators and scholars, introduce English-speaking readers to the vivid tradition of early and medieval Japanese anecdotal (setsuwa) literature. These orally narrated and written tales drew on both local folk tradition and continental sources. Taken from seven major anthologies of anecdotal literature compiled between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, these dramatic and often amusing stories open a major window onto the foundations of Japanese culture.
Out of thousands of setsuwa, Shirane has selected thirty-eight of the most powerful and influential, each of which is briefly introduced. Recounting the exploits of warriors, farmers, priests, and aristocrats, and concerning topics as varied as poetry, violence, power, and sex, these tales reveal the creative origins of a range of literary and dramatic genres, from court tales and travel accounts to no drama and Kabuki. Watson's impeccable translations relay the wit, mystery, and Buddhist sensibility of these protean works, while Shirane's sophisticated analysis illuminates the meaning and context of their compact stories. Capped by an extensive bibliography, this collection fully immerses the reader in the thrilling world of secular and religious tales.
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eBook - ePub
The Demon at Agi Bridge and Other Japanese Tales
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Information
Subtopic
Japanese HistoryIndex
LiteratureTable of contents
- Cover
- Half title
- Translations from the Asian Classics
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- A Note on the Translations
- Introduction to Anecdotal (Setsuwa) Literature
- Record of Miraculous Events in Japan (Nihon ryōiki)
- Tales of Times Now Past (Konjaku monogatari shū)
- A Collection of Tales from Uji (Uji shūi monogatari)
- A Companion in Solitude (Kankyo no tomo)
- A Collection of Things Written and Heard in the Past and Present (Kokon chomonjū)
- Tales of Renunciation (Senjūshō)
- Collection of Sand and Pebbles (Shasekishū)
- Bibliography of Translations and Studies in Western Languages
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Yes, you can access The Demon at Agi Bridge and Other Japanese Tales by Haruo Shirane, Burton Watson in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & Japanese History. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.