Japanese Fairy Tales. Grace James

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       Grace James

      Japanese Fairy Tales

      Published by Good Press, 2019

       [email protected]

      EAN 4057664652058

Table of Contents

       I GREEN WILLOW

       II THE FLUTE

       III THE TEA-KETTLE

       IV THE PEONY LANTERN

       V THE SEA KING AND THE MAGIC JEWELS

       VI THE GOOD THUNDER

       VII THE BLACK BOWL

       VIII THE STAR LOVERS

       IX HORAIZAN

       X REFLECTIONS

       XI THE STORY OF SUSA, THE IMPETUOUS

       XII THE WIND IN THE PINE TREE

       XIII FLOWER OF THE PEONY

       XIV THE MALLET

       XV THE BELL OF DŌJŌJI

       XVI THE MAIDEN OF UNAI

       XVII THE ROBE OF FEATHERS

       XVIII THE SINGING BIRD OF HEAVEN

       XIX THE COLD LADY

       XX THE FIRE QUEST

       XXI A LEGEND OF KWANNON

       XXII THE ESPOUSAL OF THE RAT’S DAUGHTER

       XXIII THE LAND OF YOMI

       XXIV THE SPRING LOVER AND THE AUTUMN LOVER

       XXV THE STRANGE STORY OF THE GOLDEN COMB

       XXVI THE JELLY-FISH TAKES A JOURNEY

       XXVII URASHIMA

       XXVIII TAMAMO, THE FOX MAIDEN

       XXIX MOMOTARO

       XXX THE MATSUYAMA MIRROR

       XXXI BROKEN IMAGES

       XXXII THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW

       XXXIII THE NURSE

       XXXIV THE BEAUTIFUL DANCER OF YEDO

       XXXV HANA-SAKA-JIJI

       XXXVI THE MOON MAIDEN

       XXXVII KARMA

       XXXVIII THE SAD STORY OF THE YAOYA’S DAUGHTER

I

       GREEN WILLOW

       Table of Contents

      Tomodata, the young samurai, owed allegiance to the Lord of Noto. He was a soldier, a courtier, and a poet. He had a sweet voice and a beautiful face, a noble form and a very winning address. He was a graceful dancer, and excelled in every manly sport. He was wealthy and generous and kind. He was beloved by rich and by poor.

      Now his daimyo, the Lord of Noto, wanted a man to undertake a mission of trust. He chose Tomodata, and called him to his presence.

      “Are you loyal?” said the daimyo.

      “My lord, you know it,” answered Tomodata.

      “Do you love me, then?” asked the daimyo.

      “Ay, my good lord,” said Tomodata, kneeling before him.

      “Then carry my message,” said the daimyo. “Ride and do not spare your beast. Ride straight, and fear not the mountains nor the enemies’ country. Stay not for storm nor any other thing. Lose your life; but betray not your trust. Above all, do not look any maid between the eyes. Ride, and bring me word again quickly.”

       Thus spoke the Lord of Noto.

      So Tomodata got him to horse, and away he rode upon his quest. Obedient to his lord’s commands, he spared not his good beast. He rode straight, and was not afraid of the steep mountain passes nor of the enemies’ country. Ere he had been three days upon the road the autumn tempest burst, for it was the ninth month. Down poured the rain in a torrent. Tomodata bowed his head and rode on. The wind howled in the pine-tree branches. It blew a typhoon. The good horse trembled and could scarcely keep its feet, but Tomodata spoke to it and urged it on. His own cloak he drew close about him and held it so that it might not blow away, and in this wise he rode on.

      The fierce storm swept away many a familiar landmark of the road, and buffeted