Burton Watson and Haruo Shirane, renowned translators and
scholars, introduce English-speaking readers to the vivid tradition
of early and medieval Japanese anecdotal ( "setsuwa") literature.
These orally narrated and written tales drew on both local folk
tradition and continental sources. Taken from seven major
anthologies of anecdotal literature compiled between the ninth and
thirteenth centuries, these dramatic and often amusing stories open
a major window onto the foundations of Japanese culture.
Out of thousands of "setsuwa," Shirane has selected thirty-eight
of the most powerful and influential, each of which is briefly
introduced. Recounting the exploits of warriors, farmers, priests,
and aristocrats, and concerning topics as varied as poetry,
violence, power, and sex, these tales reveal the creative origins
of a range of literary and dramatic genres, from court tales and
travel accounts to "no" drama and Kabuki. Watson's impeccable
translations relay the wit, mystery, and Buddhist sensibility of
these protean works, while Shirane's sophisticated analysis
illuminates the meaning and context of their compact stories.
Capped by an extensive bibliography, this collection fully immerses
the reader in the thrilling world of secular and religious
tales.
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