Japanese Fairy Tales

Novelist's Biography:

Yei Theodora Ozaki was a Japanese translator and author who lived from 1871 to 1932. She was born in Tokyo to a Japanese father and an American mother, and grew up bilingual in both Japanese and English.

Ozaki became interested in literature at a young age and began translating Japanese folktales into English. She published her first collection of stories, "Japanese Fairy Tales", in 1903. Over the next two decades, she published several more collections of Japanese folktales, including "Warriors of Old Japan and Other Stories" and "The Cat's Grave and Other Stories".

In addition to her work as a translator and author, Ozaki was also active in social and political causes. She supported women's suffrage and was involved in efforts to improve conditions for Japanese immigrants in the United States.

Ozaki's work has had a lasting impact on the world of children's literature. Her collections of Japanese folktales have been widely read and continue to inspire readers of all ages.

Synopsis:

"Japanese Fairy Tales" is a collection of 22 traditional Japanese folktales compiled and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki. The stories are written in a simple and engaging style, and are filled with magical creatures, brave heroes, and important life lessons.

Some of the most popular tales in the collection include "Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach", which follows the adventures of a boy born from a peach, "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow", in which a sparrow teaches a cruel old woman a lesson about kindness, and "The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad", which tells the story of a young fisherman who visits an underwater kingdom.

Other tales in the collection include "The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy", "The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die", and "The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Child". Overall, "Japanese Fairy Tales" is a wonderful introduction to the rich and fascinating world of Japanese folklore.