Tales of Ancient Japan

“Tales of Ancient Japan” is the key to the cultural code of the Land of the Rising Sun. This collection of tales by Sazanami Sandzin has been read by dozens of generations of Japanese. Now the echoes of this book can be found in the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki, in anime, and in the works of Haruki Murakami, Kobo Abe, and other writers. Sazanami captured in the recorded tales the very essence of Japan – its history, mythology, daily life, and beliefs. There is a legendary-historical tale about the hero Momotaro, who came into the world from a large peach and, at a young age, defeated a whole horde of evil demons. There is a religious-ethical tale about the cunning and cruel Tanuki, who was avenged by the Rabbit for the death of his elderly neighbor. There is also a mythical tale about a descendant of the heavenly gods, who descended to the bottom of the sea into the realm of the Dragon in search of a lost fishing hook. The collection of tales is preceded by an article by Orientalist Vasily Mendrin about the culture and development of Japan. The tales themselves are illustrated by the Japanese artist Kobayashi Eitaku.