Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai

Compiled by one of the first foreign diplomats in Japan, this famous collection of classic tales covers an engrossing array of subjects: ghost stories, fairy tales, folklore, a fascinating eyewitness account of a hara-kiri ceremony, and gripping narratives of vampires and samurai. A treasury of information on Japanese locales, customs, and characters, this volume delights as it entertains, chronicling acts of heroism, devotion, ruthlessness, and chivalry that illuminate the island nation's culture.