Customer Reviews

Tales of Old Japan (Classic Reprint)

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This series of 28 tales and 4 sermons was first published in 1871 by Freeman-Mitford (1837-1916). The volume includes an appendix that discusses Japanese customs, such as hare-keri, marriage ceremonies, births, rearing children, and funeral rites. The most famous tale is The Forty-seven Ronins, which recounts the adventure of the 47, the 48 graves, revenge, and honor.

An official insults a lord and he tries to kill him to revenge the insult. The lord is sentenced for his attempted murder. He has to commit suicide, his family is deprived of all of their property, and his 47 retainers are reduced from Samurai to the Ronin status. The 47 decide to take revenge for their lord's death by killing the official who insulted their lord. The story tells how they succeed, are punished by needing to commit suicide, how they receive a noble burial because of their illegal but noble act, and how another man kills himself and is buried in the 48th grave.

The author writes that this is a true story. He saw the graves and the documents that describe the events.

The book itself is a classic, 140 years old.

The reprint I got, however, was "digitally remastered" by forgottenbooks two days before it arrived at my door. Many of the pages are unreadable -- so faint they can barely be made out. A cheap and deceptive item, and I've asked for a refund. Sometimes it is possible to tell when these cheap reprints are what's being offered. I couldn't figure it out this time when I ordered.