Things Japanese/Fairy-tales
Fairy-tales. The Japanese have plenty of fairy-tales; but the greater number can be traced to a Chinese, and several of these again to a Buddhist, that is to an Indian, source. Among the most popular are Urashima, Momotarō, The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab, The Tongue-Cut Sparrow, The Mouse's Wedding, The Old Man who Made the Trees to Blossom, The Crackling Mountain, and The Lucky Tea-Kettle.
Though it is convenient to speak of these stories as "fairy-tales," fairies properly so-called do not appear in them. Instead of fairies, there are goblins and devils, together with foxes, cats, and badgers possessed of superhuman powers for working evil. We feel that we are in a fairy-land altogether foreign to that which gave Europe "Cinderella" and "Puss in Boots,"—no less foreign to that which produced the gorgeously complicated marvels of the "Arabian Nights."
Books recommended. The Japanese Fairy-Tales Series, published in illustrated booklets by Hasegawa, Tōkyō.—The Japanese Fairy Book, by Miss Ozaki.—Mitford's Tales of Old Japan, latter part of Vol. I.—Fairy-Tales from Far Japan, by Miss S. Ballard.