Ooka the Wise: Tales of Old Japan [Hardcover]

I. G. Edmonds (Author), Sanae Yamazaki (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1994

A collection of seventeen folktales about the legendary Japanese judge Ooka, whose ingenuity and desire for justice help him solve knotty problems in inventive ways.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. This reissued collection of 17 folktales (originally published in 1961) features the legendary judge Ooka Tadasuke, whose devotion to justice helps him solve many difficult cases. Renowned for his unusual and original decisions, Ooka punishes wickedness and rewards virtue--even though he doesn't always follow the letter of the law. In one instance he rules that the sound of money changing hands is just payment for experiencing the smell of food; in another case, he manages to divide 13 horses equally without killing any of them; and in yet another trial, he sentences himself to death (with much anticipated delay) as payment for embarrassing the shogun. Told in folkloric style, each tale is brief, introducing a difficult problem and providing a clever, satisfying solution. The author provides no source documentation, stating that he heard these tales from his grandfather. This will be popular with storytellers and may be useful for units on creative problem solving. Illustrated with black line drawings. Kay Weisman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Linnet Books (1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0208023798
• ISBN-13: 978-0208023797
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,912,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ooka is still available, June 9, 2009

By 

Eric Daure "Umn" (Stamford, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ooka the Wise: Tales of Old Japan (Hardcover)

This book may be out of print, but you can get the next best thing: "Ooka and the Case of the Marble Monster and Other Stories" - http://www.amazon.com/Case-Marble-Monster-Other-Stories/dp/0590080245

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical, thought provoking, logical and entertaining!, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ooka the Wise: Tales of Old Japan (Paperback)

I found this book in an alley on the way home from elementary school one day. Once home, I was unable to put this book down as I became engrossed by the weaving tales. I highly recommend this book for any child who is particularly searching and addressing their logic skills. The lessons learned in the book are valuable throughout the ages. Currently, I utilize some of the stories in a therapeutic environment working with geriatrics, enabling them to use not only their wisdom, but their logic skills as well. I no longer have the book, but remarkably, the stories rebound in my head as if I had only read them yesterday, even though it was 25 plus years ago.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic tales to bridge and last for generations!, January 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ooka the Wise: Tales of Old Japan (Hardcover)

I first read this book over 30 years ago. I then read it over and over, and then over again. Many years ago I shared it with a young child, and gave my torn tattered copy to them. I now have my own children and recount to them my rememberences of these stories. I've been searching for some time now, and plan to repurchase one as soon as they are available. I can't wait.