Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850–1935)

A small collection of Aino folktales, which are (unedited, apart from translation) transcripts of oral tales and lore fragments. The complete lack of editing tends to make some of them rather blunt reads. The content itself is a nice gateway to the lore of these indigenous people of Japan. Several of the tales are similar to Western ones (as is the case of the baby abandoned in a box, that of the child whose heart is requested as healing food by its stepmother, and the existence of Hades show more (though I suspect this particular word is the author's interference in translation)), a thing pointing to the subtle influence of the Western civiliazation. There is also a hint of the Northeastern Siberian folklore in several tales, suggesting a common origin. show less

Printed by Opium Books, Hong Kong. Cover title./ Miniature reprint of Kobunsha edition (1887)./ "This miniature facsimile edition limited to 500 signed copies. Privately printed through Opium Books, Hong Kong. This is copy no. 79 of the limited edition of 500" Other title: Saru no ikigimo.

Printed by Opium Books, Hong Kong. Cover title./ Miniature reprint of Kobunsha edition (1887)./ "This miniature facsimile edition limited to 500 signed copies. Privately printed through Opium Books, Hong Kong. This is copy no. 79 of the limited edition of 500" Other title: Saru no ikigimo.

Magnífica colección de mitos aínos, para nada conocidos en el mundo occidental. Una obra algo antigua, limitada solo a narrar los mitos, sin interpretarlos, ni explicarlos ni indagar en sus orígenes. Es una posición importante dando más visibilidad a esta cultura marginada y en peligro de extinción y que se merece más reconocimiento y protección.