Tales of Old Japan (1871) is an anthology of classic tales compiled by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, Lord Redesdale. The narratives – adapted from Japanese sources – covers various aspects of Japanese life before the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Supplemented by Mitford's explanatory notes, the tales serve as an introduction to the Japanese culture, literature and sense of life. Engaging with an arresting range of subjects such as Buddhist sermons, knightly exploits, ghost stories, fairy tales, folklore, terrifying vampires, noble samurai and the plots of four Noh plays, the collection also serves as a treasure trove of information on the customs, characters and places of the time. .
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