Tales of Old Japan is a fascinating collection of traditional Japanese folk tales and legends compiled by Lord Redesdale. The stories are filled with fantastical creatures, supernatural beings, and moral lessons that have been passed down through generations. Redesdale's translations are beautifully written and capture the essence of Japanese storytelling.

What sets this book apart is not just the content of the stories, but also the cultural insights provided by Redesdale in the introduction and footnotes. He helps readers understand the context in which these tales were told and the values they represent in Japanese society. This adds depth and richness to the collection, making it more than just a book of entertaining stories.

Overall, Tales of Old Japan is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese folklore and culture. Readers will be transported to a different time and place, where gods and monsters roam the earth and humans must navigate a world filled with wonder and danger. Lord Redesdale's meticulous research and thoughtful translations make this book a must-read for anyone who loves mythology and legends.

Book Description:
Tales of Old Japan by Lord Redesdale is a collection of short stories focusing on Japanese life of the Edo period (1603 - 1868). It contains a number of classic Japanese stories, fairy tales, and other folklore; as well as Japanese sermons and non-fiction pieces on special ceremonies in Japanese life, such as marriage and harakiri, as observed by Lord Redesdale. The best know story of these is "The Forty-seven Ronins" a true account of samurai revenge as it happened at the beginning of 18th century Japan.

Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale (1837 - 1916) was a British diplomat, collector and writer. He worked in Japan as second secretary to the British Legation at the time of the Meiji Restoration. He wrote Tales of Old Japan in 1871.