Reading Notes: Japanese Fairytales, Part B

(Uraschima Taro Returning on the Turtle by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi from Wikimedia).

Schippeitaro:
- I wonder why the cats feared the dog, other than that he was a dog. I am glad the young man was able to find a great feat he accomplished.
- I am also glad that the dog was the main hero and that the young man did not try to take away the dog's life to claim all the glory himself.

The Crab and the Monkey:
- Personification of animals!
- I enjoyed how the other animals banded together to support Crab, it brings a sense of community.
- Karma and justice are very typical for these fairytales.

The Magic Kettle:
- A majority of the story focus on old couples or older individuals as their characters, I love this because western stories usually have young men and women.
- The lessons of humility and honesty are rewarded with good fortune (usually).

How the Wicked Tanuki was Punished:
- Shaping shifting fox and tricks
- And now I am disappointed with this story since the Tanuki killed his wife...
- However, I do like the statement that he was forever changed after "killing" his wife - it shows how one thought/action can corrupt someone.
- Justice for the fox wife!

The Slaying of the Tanuki:
- Being called a weak woman would have angered me rather than soften my heart. Personally, I would have tightened the bonds.
- Phenomenal, he made the man eat his wife. THAT IS A BIT MUCH.
- Setting the bundle of sticks on fire was a great trick, but I agree wit the man that it would only cause the Tanuki to become even angrier and seek retribution.
- Revenge for the wife!

Uraschimataro and the Turtle:
- I fell like I have read this story many times before with Cupid and Psyche, I hope the story endds on a happier note.
- 300 years! Woah, however I like how the world is described as changed. That is wonderfully believable.
- Not on a happy note...

Bibliography: Japanese Fairy Tales (Lang) by Andrew Lang.

Reading Notes: Japanese Fairytales (Lang), Part A

Japanese Fairytales (Lang)

(Cat by Mars87 from Pixabay).

The Two Frogs:

     - 'The foolish things forgot that when they stood up their great eyes lay in the backs of their heads and that, although their noses might point to the places to which they wanted to go, their eyes beheld the places from which they had come.' They saw the reflections of their homes in the other frog's eyes. What vivid irony and imagery!

The Stonecutter:

     - Envy is a dangerous emotion

     - I wonder who the mountain spirit is because I could see how some of these wishes would be         cruel, but then again it was stated in the tale that this man is not the brightest of minds.. 

     - I am glad he had a realization he was happier as a stonecutter.

     - There was a moment when I thought the mountain spirit was working its way up to switch places with the stonecutter. When the stonecutter said he wanted to be the mountain, I thought the mountain would be a different stonecutter who went through the same/similar process like our stonecutter. I thought it was a cycle.

The Maiden with the Wooden Helmet:

     - This makes my heart happy.

     - I am very glad that the mother tried everything in her power to keep the girl humble and gracious. Beauty is usually spoiled by ugly attitudes.

The Envious Neighbor:

     - All I can think about is a white trash family showering their little rat-dog with attention and dressing it up in ridiculous outfits.

     - And I think I died. 

     - This makes me sad... BUT KARMA IS GOOD

The Sparrow with the Slit Tongue:

     - sparrow -> woman

     - Little sparrow woman if vicious, I love it. Blood demands Blood

     

The Cat's Elopement:

     - Its so sweet! 

     - I figured the princess would not have been able to take the cats with her and that is why she told her husband the cats' story, so she would be able to keep them with her.

Themes: Old married couple; envy will lead to doom; happy endings (thats a first!); beautiful maidens; humility

Bibliography: Japanese Fairy Tales (Lang) by Andrew Lang.