Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan
Arcturus World Mythology
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Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan
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Narrated by:
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Geoff Sugiyama
About this listen
This enthralling collection brings together over 50 ancient tales from Japanese folklore, gathered and retold by 19th century traveler and naturalist Richard Gordon Smith.
During his journeys around Japan, Smith recorded ancient Japanese myths and legends in his personal diaries. The result is a fascinating collection of historical legends from all over Japan, with themes including ghosts, unrequited love, Shinto landscape, tree and ocean spirits, samurai culture and tales driven by Bushido and Buddhist ethics.
Gordon Smith's writing combines a realist style with supernatural elements, resulting in an anthology of 'magic realist' tales which will bewitch and captivate listeners.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus World Mythology series brings together captivating retellings of myths and legends from different oral traditions, from Greek and Roman to Norse and Native American, offering rich insight into their cultures and beliefs.
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What listeners say about Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- MFHRaptor
- 01-26-25
Ancient Japan Cabinet of Curiosities
Collected oratory tales that imbue the imagination with echos of ancient and medieval Japan. They carry virtues of honour, faithfulness, altruism, sacrifice, and remorse. Supernatural elements, ancient deities, and curious artifacts are abundant within those tales.
Though we might not agree with some of the morals or deeds committed by a few of the heroic characters mentioned here, the listener must be mindful it was of a bygone era with different sensibilities and ethics.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- GregD128
- 01-23-25
A new world to explore.
I have to admit. I grew up in Europe, so exploring these stories from Japan is a treat. There is so much similarity , but also so many differences in culture. It helps that all these stories are all new to me.
I am having a blast.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Benjamin
- 01-22-25
Many different tales
These tales & folklore are written really well. It's a great listen if you are into Tales & Folklore or love anything Japanese
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Steffen Hess
- 01-27-25
Japanese legends galore.
Anninteresting collection of legends of Japan á la Grimm's tales. Me, who doesn't know much of japanese culture, could learn a lot of this book. And the VA males a good job too!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Joseph
- 01-26-25
Interesting
The stories were very interesting as a westerner with little experience with Japanese culture. I find the fact that they must have a different view of a human life than western culture does quite interesting.
My main criticisms of this book was the narrator was a bit robotic sounding, making it hard to keep up with many new names every 10 mins or so. He got better later but still was robotic.
I understand that this is information collected by a European in the 19th century only because of the title details. I really feel like there should have been a bit more details on this in the beginning. Also I think it would have been more interesting if this was maybe redone in a way that gives more context religiously and historically to Japan that may have gave more understanding of the tales to a foreigner.
Over although it was an interesting way to get some more exposure to Japanese culture besides through anime’s.
I was given this book by, I am assuming the publisher, in a Reddit give away with just the request to review it. That I am being a bit more in-depth than my normal.
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