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Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan

Arcturus World Mythology

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Ancient Tales and Folklore of Japan

By: Richard Gordon Smith
Narrated by: Geoff Sugiyama
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About this listen

This enthralling collection brings together over 50 ancient tales from Japanese folklore, gathered and retold by 19th century traveler and naturalist Richard Gordon Smith.

During his journeys around Japan, Smith recorded ancient Japanese myths and legends in his personal diaries. The result is a fascinating collection of historical legends from all over Japan, with themes including ghosts, unrequited love, Shinto landscape, tree and ocean spirits, samurai culture and tales driven by Bushido and Buddhist ethics.

Gordon Smith's writing combines a realist style with supernatural elements, resulting in an anthology of 'magic realist' tales which will bewitch and captivate listeners.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus World Mythology series brings together captivating retellings of myths and legends from different oral traditions, from Greek and Roman to Norse and Native American, offering rich insight into their cultures and beliefs.

©2024 Arcturus Holdings Limited (P)2024 Arcturus Publishing & ID Audio Asian Fantasy World Literature Mythology Samurai Tradition

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Listener received this title free

I was given a review copy of this title, in return for an honest review.

This book is a serious wasted opportunity. There are dozens of Japanese folk stories included, giving a fascinating glimpse of their culture, but it's read by a machine voice. It's not even a good machine voice, Gemini and Siri have more charisma that you'll find here. There are also a number of mispronounced words, so I don't think any editing took place.

I am genuinely disappointed to have to leave this review, because the stories themselves are beautiful. If a human had been hired to read these stories, even an amateur narrator, it would have had the soul that is sorely lacking in this reading.

read by machine

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