
Japanese Ghost Stories
Penguin Classics
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $18.88
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Eleanor Matsuura
-
By:
-
Lafcadio Hearn
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
This Penguin Classic is performed by Eleanor Matsuura, known for AMC's The Walking Dead and Spooks. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Paul Murray.
In this collection of classic ghost stories from Japan, beautiful princesses turn out to be frogs, paintings come alive, deadly spectral brides haunt the living and a samurai delivers the baby of a Shinto goddess with mystical help. Here are all the phantoms and ghouls of Japanese folklore: 'rokuro-kubi', whose heads separate from their bodies at night; 'jikininki', or flesh-eating goblins; and terrifying faceless 'mujina' who haunt lonely neighbourhoods. Lafcadio Hearn, a master storyteller, drew on traditional Japanese folklore, infused with memories of his own haunted childhood in Ireland, to create these chilling tales. They are today regarded in Japan as classics in their own right.
Public Domain (P)2019 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
-
Kwaidan
- Stories and Studies of Strange Things
- By: Lafcadio Hearn
- Narrated by: Blaise Adams
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, was an Irish writer known also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo. His book Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things, comprises two parts, the first being the "Kwaidan Proper" and the second, "Insect-Studies", which consists of an essay each on ants, butterflies and mosquitos. According to the author, most of the folk tales and ghost stories in the first part were translated from old Japanese texts. The themes encompass resurrection, sacrifice, magic, and the realm of dreams.
By: Lafcadio Hearn
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
The Tale of Genji, Volume 1
- By: Murasaki Shikibu, Dennis Washburn - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Murasaki Shikibu, born into the middle ranks of the aristocracy during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), wrote The Tale of Genji, widely considered the world's first novel, during the early years of the 11th century. Expansive, compelling, and sophisticated in its representation of ethical concerns and aesthetic ideals, Murasaki's tale came to occupy a central place in Japan's remarkable history of artistic achievement and is now recognized as a masterpiece of world literature.
-
-
Tales of Genji
- By Amazon Customer on 02-24-20
By: Murasaki Shikibu, and others
-
Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry's Definitive Collection
- By: Stephen Fry, Washington Irving, M.R. James, and others
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, Halloween approaches. Come, brave listener, pull up a chair, and spend some time with master storyteller Stephen Fry as he tells us some of his favourite ghost stories of all time, in truly terrifying spatial audio. From the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow to the tortured spirits of M.R. James, from Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying tale of a doppelganger to Charlotte Riddell’s Open Door that should definitely stay shut, join Stephen as he tells you some truly terrifying tales.
-
-
Wonderful narration. Mediocre stories.
- By Michael Fuchs on 11-07-23
By: Stephen Fry, and others
-
Winged Pharaoh
- The Far Memory Books, Book 1
- By: Joan Grant
- Narrated by: Mil Nicholson
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Winged Pharaoh, Joan Grant tells the story of Sekeeta, the pharaoh's daughter. The ancient Egyptians reserved the title of Winged Pharaoh for ruler priests who possessed extrasensory powers. When Sekeeta demonstrates psychic abilities, she is sent to the temple and trained to recall past lives. Upon the death of her father, she becomes a Winged Pharaoh - both priestess and pharaoh - and leads her country with enlightenment.
-
-
Entertaining yes, but historically accurate?
- By Setken on 09-30-21
By: Joan Grant
-
Greek Mythology
- Classic Stories of the Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters (Classic Mythology, Book 1)
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser
- Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This captivating audiobook will take you on a beautiful journey through the fascinating world of Greek mythology. From the beginning of the cosmos to the Odyssey, be ready to venture into an exciting world of love, loyalty, infidelity, vengeance, deception, and intrigue!
-
-
A great way to gain insight to Ancient Greece
- By cosmitron on 07-27-18
By: Scott Lewis
-
Kwaidan
- Stories and Studies of Strange Things
- By: Lafcadio Hearn
- Narrated by: Blaise Adams
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, was an Irish writer known also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo. His book Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things, comprises two parts, the first being the "Kwaidan Proper" and the second, "Insect-Studies", which consists of an essay each on ants, butterflies and mosquitos. According to the author, most of the folk tales and ghost stories in the first part were translated from old Japanese texts. The themes encompass resurrection, sacrifice, magic, and the realm of dreams.
By: Lafcadio Hearn
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
The Tale of Genji, Volume 1
- By: Murasaki Shikibu, Dennis Washburn - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Murasaki Shikibu, born into the middle ranks of the aristocracy during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), wrote The Tale of Genji, widely considered the world's first novel, during the early years of the 11th century. Expansive, compelling, and sophisticated in its representation of ethical concerns and aesthetic ideals, Murasaki's tale came to occupy a central place in Japan's remarkable history of artistic achievement and is now recognized as a masterpiece of world literature.
-
-
Tales of Genji
- By Amazon Customer on 02-24-20
By: Murasaki Shikibu, and others
-
Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry's Definitive Collection
- By: Stephen Fry, Washington Irving, M.R. James, and others
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, Halloween approaches. Come, brave listener, pull up a chair, and spend some time with master storyteller Stephen Fry as he tells us some of his favourite ghost stories of all time, in truly terrifying spatial audio. From the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow to the tortured spirits of M.R. James, from Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying tale of a doppelganger to Charlotte Riddell’s Open Door that should definitely stay shut, join Stephen as he tells you some truly terrifying tales.
-
-
Wonderful narration. Mediocre stories.
- By Michael Fuchs on 11-07-23
By: Stephen Fry, and others
-
Winged Pharaoh
- The Far Memory Books, Book 1
- By: Joan Grant
- Narrated by: Mil Nicholson
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Winged Pharaoh, Joan Grant tells the story of Sekeeta, the pharaoh's daughter. The ancient Egyptians reserved the title of Winged Pharaoh for ruler priests who possessed extrasensory powers. When Sekeeta demonstrates psychic abilities, she is sent to the temple and trained to recall past lives. Upon the death of her father, she becomes a Winged Pharaoh - both priestess and pharaoh - and leads her country with enlightenment.
-
-
Entertaining yes, but historically accurate?
- By Setken on 09-30-21
By: Joan Grant
-
Greek Mythology
- Classic Stories of the Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters (Classic Mythology, Book 1)
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser
- Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This captivating audiobook will take you on a beautiful journey through the fascinating world of Greek mythology. From the beginning of the cosmos to the Odyssey, be ready to venture into an exciting world of love, loyalty, infidelity, vengeance, deception, and intrigue!
-
-
A great way to gain insight to Ancient Greece
- By cosmitron on 07-27-18
By: Scott Lewis
-
Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey
- By: Homer, W. H. D. Rouse - translator
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 25 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are unquestionably two of the greatest epic masterpieces in Western literature. Though more than 2,700 years old, their stories of brave heroics, capricious gods, and towering human emotions are vividly timeless. The Iliad can justly be called the world’s greatest war epic. The terrible and long-drawn-out siege of Troy remains one of the classic campaigns. The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars to his beloved wife.
-
-
Oddball Translation
- By Joel Jenkins on 05-11-17
By: Homer, and others
-
Kokoro
- By: Natsume Soseki
- Narrated by: Matt Shea
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The subject of Kokoro, which can be translated as 'the heart of things' or as 'feeling,' is the delicate matter of the contrast between the meanings the various parties of a relationship attach to it. In the course of this exploration, Soseki brilliantly describes different levels of friendship, family relationships, and the devices by which men attempt to escape from their fundamental loneliness. The novel sustains throughout its length something approaching poetry, and it is rich in understanding and insight.
-
-
The Heart Of Things, Relationships & Feelings
- By Sara on 04-27-15
By: Natsume Soseki
-
Musashi
- By: Eiji Yoshikawa, Charles S. Terry - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 53 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman. Miyamoto Musashi becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and by whom he has been touched. Inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival.
-
-
Good Historical Novel
- By The Walking Dude on 08-11-19
By: Eiji Yoshikawa, and others
-
The Pillow Book
- By: Sei Shōnagon
- Narrated by: Georgina Sutton
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the closing years of the 10th century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthrals with its lively gossip, witty observations and subtle impressions. Lady Shōnagon was an erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, The Tale of Genji, fictionalized the elite world Lady Shōnagon so eloquently relates.
-
-
Exquisite. Truly!
- By Erick DuPree on 01-10-23
By: Sei Shōnagon
-
I Am a Cat
- By: Soseki Natsume, Aiko Ito - translator, Graeme Wilson - translator
- Narrated by: David Shih
- Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Soseki Natsume's comic masterpiece, I Am a Cat, satirizes the foolishness of upper-middle class Japanese society during the Meiji era. With acerbic wit and sardonic perspective, it follows the whimsical adventures of a world-weary stray kitten who comments on the follies and foibles of the people around him. A classic of Japanese literature, I Am a Cat is one of Soseki's best-known novels. Considered by many as the greatest writer in modern Japanese history, Soseki's I Am a Cat is a classic novel sure to be enjoyed for years to come.
-
-
Great performance!
- By mz on 04-03-20
By: Soseki Natsume, and others
-
Mythology: Mega Collection
- Classic Stories from the Greek, Celtic, Norse, Japanese, Hindu, Chinese, Mesopotamian and Egyptian Mythology
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser, Oliver Hunt
- Length: 31 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Do you know how many wives Zeus had? Or how the famous Trojan War was caused by one beautiful lady? Or how Thor got his hammer? Give your imagination a real treat. This Mega Mythology Collection of eight audiobooks is for you....
-
-
An interesting set of introductions.
- By Kevin Potter on 05-30-19
By: Scott Lewis
-
M.R. James: The Complete Ghost Stories Collection
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 18 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For the first time, the complete works of M. R. James are available to download in one collection. This unabridged collection of all M.R. James' ghost stories includes tales from Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, More Ghost Stories, A Thin Ghost and Others, and A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories. It is expertly read by award-winning narrator Jonathan Keeble.
-
-
The Master
- By Mardou Fox on 08-09-22
By: M. R. James
-
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
- By: Haruki Murakami
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Across two parallel narratives, Murakami draws listeners into a mind-bending universe in which Lauren Bacall, Bob Dylan, a split-brained data processor, a deranged scientist, his shockingly undemure granddaughter, and various thugs, librarians, and subterranean monsters collide to dazzling effect. What emerges is a novel that is at once hilariously funny and a deeply serious meditation on the nature and uses of the mind.
-
-
Highly recommend
- By Amazon Customer on 07-23-18
By: Haruki Murakami
-
Sanshiro
- Penguin Classics
- By: Natsume Soseki, Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin
- Narrated by: Andrew Koji
- Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Soseki's most beloved works of fiction, the novel depicts the 23-year-old Sanshiro leaving the sleepy countryside for the first time in his life to experience the constantly moving 'real world' of Tokyo, its women and university. In the subtle tension between our appreciation of Soseki's lively humour and our awareness of Sanshiro's doomed innocence, the novel comes to life. Sanshiro is also penetrating social and cultural commentary.
-
-
This story had no point.
- By icelandicponies on 12-30-21
By: Natsume Soseki, and others
-
Kusamakura [Grass Pillow]
- By: Natsume Soseki, Meredith McKinney - translator
- Narrated by: Kotaro Watanabe, Elizabeth Jasicki
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Natsume Soseki's Kusamakura - meaning “grass pillow” - follows its nameless young artist-narrator on a meandering walking tour of the mountains. At the inn at a hot-spring resort, he has a series of mysterious encounters with Nami, the lovely young daughter of the establishment. Nami, or "beauty", is the center of this elegant novel, the still point around which the artist moves and the enigmatic subject of Soseki's word painting.
-
-
Puzzling choice of narrator
- By Ana Matilde Sousa on 09-01-24
By: Natsume Soseki, and others
-
The Woman in the Dunes
- By: Kobo Abe
- Narrated by: Julian Cihi
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After missing the last bus home following a day trip to the seashore, an amateur entomologist is offered lodging for the night at the bottom of a vast sand pit. But when he attempts to leave the next morning, he quickly discovers the locals have other plans. Held captive with seemingly no chance of escape, he is tasked with shoveling back the ever-advancing sand dunes that threaten to destroy the village. His only companion is an odd young woman. Together, their fates become intertwined as they work side-by-side at this Sisyphean task.
-
-
Nihilistic horror
- By Mr. Sagan on 07-20-19
By: Kobo Abe
-
Japanese Mythology
- Classic Stories of Japanese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters, the Story of Princess Hase, Issun-Boshi, Momotaro, Kintaro, Kaguya Hime
- By: Roberts Parizi
- Narrated by: Joshua
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you interested in learning about Japanese mythology? Are you intrigued by the culture of Japan? Are you looking for some interesting stories to read? These myths are great from adults and children alike. They give you an insight into a culture that is full of traditions. These myths are like nothing you have ever read before. You will find that Japanese mythology is not based in only one belief system. These myths and folktales are based in their Shinto and Buddhist traditions. The origin stories within Japanese mythology can vary.
-
-
I enjoyed it
- By bud p. on 10-30-22
By: Roberts Parizi
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
In Ghostly Japan
- Japanese Legends of Ghosts, Yokai, Yurei and Other Oddities
- By: Lafcadio Hearn, Michael Dylan Foster - Foreword by
- Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
- Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Ghostly Japan collects 12 ghostly stories from Lafcadio Hearn, deathless images of ghosts and goblins, touches of folklore and superstition, salted with traditions of the nation. While some of these stories contain nightmare imagery worthy of a midnight creature feature, others are not ghostly or ghastly at all. "Bits of Poetry" offers an engaging study on verse, and "Japanese Buddhist Proverbs" explains the meaning of several aphorisms based on Japanese cultural references.
-
-
I really enjoyed this
- By Vanessa on 10-02-24
By: Lafcadio Hearn, and others
-
Kwaidan
- Stories and Studies of Strange Things
- By: Lafcadio Hearn
- Narrated by: Blaise Adams
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, was an Irish writer known also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo. His book Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things, comprises two parts, the first being the "Kwaidan Proper" and the second, "Insect-Studies", which consists of an essay each on ants, butterflies and mosquitos. According to the author, most of the folk tales and ghost stories in the first part were translated from old Japanese texts. The themes encompass resurrection, sacrifice, magic, and the realm of dreams.
By: Lafcadio Hearn
-
Japanese Mythology Collection 2
- Myths and Legends of Japan, Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan and Kwaidan
- By: Lafcadio Hearn, F. Hadland Davis, Richard Gordon Smith
- Narrated by: James Francis Markert
- Length: 24 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Together, these three volumes form an essential collection for anyone fascinated by mythology, folklore, and the cultural heritage of Japan. Each story in this anthology is not just a tale. It's a window into the ancient soul of Japan, its people, and its enduring legacy.
-
-
Try again
- By ELIPEGO on 04-16-24
By: Lafcadio Hearn, and others
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
Japanese Fairy Tales
- By: Yei Theodora Ozaki - translator
- Narrated by: Leslie Bellair
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here are 22 charming Japanese Fairy Tales, translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, including "My Lord Bag of Rice", "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow", "The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad", "The Farmer and the Badger", "The Shinansha, or the South Pointing Carriage", "The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy", "The Story of Princess Hase", "The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die", "The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moonchild", "The Mirror of Matsuyama", and more.
-
-
Nice book, wish the narrator spoke Japanese better
- By Ben on 01-31-17
-
The Japanese Classics Collection: Literature, Myths, Samurai Philosophy, Folk Tales and More
- The Tale of Genji, The Kojiki, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, The Book of Tea, and Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things
- By: Lady Murasaki Shikibu, Basil Hall Chamberlain, Inazo Nitobe, and others
- Narrated by: Blaise Adams
- Length: 18 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Japanese culture has fascinated the West ever since the country’s doors opened up in the 1800s. In many ways, Japan has remained elusive, and people have travelled from all around the world to see for themselves how unique this nation remains. Another way of exploring this enigmatic culture is through its literature. The English language succeeds surprisingly well in revealing the Japanese sense of life.
By: Lady Murasaki Shikibu, and others
-
In Ghostly Japan
- Japanese Legends of Ghosts, Yokai, Yurei and Other Oddities
- By: Lafcadio Hearn, Michael Dylan Foster - Foreword by
- Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
- Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Ghostly Japan collects 12 ghostly stories from Lafcadio Hearn, deathless images of ghosts and goblins, touches of folklore and superstition, salted with traditions of the nation. While some of these stories contain nightmare imagery worthy of a midnight creature feature, others are not ghostly or ghastly at all. "Bits of Poetry" offers an engaging study on verse, and "Japanese Buddhist Proverbs" explains the meaning of several aphorisms based on Japanese cultural references.
-
-
I really enjoyed this
- By Vanessa on 10-02-24
By: Lafcadio Hearn, and others
-
Kwaidan
- Stories and Studies of Strange Things
- By: Lafcadio Hearn
- Narrated by: Blaise Adams
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, was an Irish writer known also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo. His book Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things, comprises two parts, the first being the "Kwaidan Proper" and the second, "Insect-Studies", which consists of an essay each on ants, butterflies and mosquitos. According to the author, most of the folk tales and ghost stories in the first part were translated from old Japanese texts. The themes encompass resurrection, sacrifice, magic, and the realm of dreams.
By: Lafcadio Hearn
-
Japanese Mythology Collection 2
- Myths and Legends of Japan, Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan and Kwaidan
- By: Lafcadio Hearn, F. Hadland Davis, Richard Gordon Smith
- Narrated by: James Francis Markert
- Length: 24 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Together, these three volumes form an essential collection for anyone fascinated by mythology, folklore, and the cultural heritage of Japan. Each story in this anthology is not just a tale. It's a window into the ancient soul of Japan, its people, and its enduring legacy.
-
-
Try again
- By ELIPEGO on 04-16-24
By: Lafcadio Hearn, and others
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
Japanese Fairy Tales
- By: Yei Theodora Ozaki - translator
- Narrated by: Leslie Bellair
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here are 22 charming Japanese Fairy Tales, translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, including "My Lord Bag of Rice", "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow", "The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad", "The Farmer and the Badger", "The Shinansha, or the South Pointing Carriage", "The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy", "The Story of Princess Hase", "The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die", "The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moonchild", "The Mirror of Matsuyama", and more.
-
-
Nice book, wish the narrator spoke Japanese better
- By Ben on 01-31-17
-
The Japanese Classics Collection: Literature, Myths, Samurai Philosophy, Folk Tales and More
- The Tale of Genji, The Kojiki, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, The Book of Tea, and Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things
- By: Lady Murasaki Shikibu, Basil Hall Chamberlain, Inazo Nitobe, and others
- Narrated by: Blaise Adams
- Length: 18 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Japanese culture has fascinated the West ever since the country’s doors opened up in the 1800s. In many ways, Japan has remained elusive, and people have travelled from all around the world to see for themselves how unique this nation remains. Another way of exploring this enigmatic culture is through its literature. The English language succeeds surprisingly well in revealing the Japanese sense of life.
By: Lady Murasaki Shikibu, and others
The stories Hearn wrote down are strange and captivating, and it was wonderful to hear about his life in this book as well.
I have listened to the stories on this audiobook again and again and never tire of them. The production and performance are among the best I have experienced from Audible.
Beautiful Storytelling and Performance
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Difficult to Follow
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Finally on Audible!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great writer great narrator
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narrator reads well, but her performance has one main flaw that may not bother an average reader without any knowledge of Japanese: she mispronounces Japanese words and names throughout, and I find myself automatically correcting her. These errors are not confined to Japanese names, but also the two French names mentioned in the introduction. Those are unimportant, as that is the only place they occur.
The Japanese mispronunciations are much more serious. As far as pronunciation goes, it is not a difficult language, because unlike English, it is very regular. Vowels retain their sound even in combination with other vowels. The “g” is always hard. In spite of her Japanese surname, Matsuura certainly has no knowledge of these basic rules, and I wish that, before taking on this job, she had bothered to, or been required to, learn basic Japanese pronunciation. Thus we have the temple name Amadera—short “e”—pronounced with a long “e”, although this pronunciation is not consistent throught. Also the era name Genroku (hard g, remember) rendered Jenroku.
Now, if I were listening to a book with similar problems, but with Greek words, I am quite sure that I wouldn’t notice. Therefore, if you haven’t a clue what Japanese is supposed to sound like, you might well give her performance at least four stars. But if you do know enough to notice, be prepared for frequent, not winces exactly, but maybe dissonances.
Japanese pronunciation a problem
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great collection of stories.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Eleanor Matsuura does a brilliant job of narrating, being fluent in both English and Japanese which makes this a pleasure to listen to.
I recommend this book.
LH Was a Master
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Narrater needs linguistic coach
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Disappointing...reading the book might have been more gratifying...but when you're losing your eyesight your options become limi
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.