The Red Candles and the Mermaid - Selected Japanese Fairy Tales

von Mimei Ogawa

130 Seiten, Taschenbuch

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

Discover the hauntingly beautiful world of Mimei Ogawa, often celebrated as the "Hans Christian Andersen of Japan." This premium bilingual edition brings together his most profound and timeless masterpieces, including "The Red Candles and the Mermaid" and "The Wild Rose," presented in both the original Japanese and an elegant, faithful English translation.Mimei Ogawa is a foundational figure in modern Japanese children's literature, known for weaving lyrical romanticism with deep humanism, psychological complexity, and sharp social commentary. Unlike conventional, lighthearted fairy tales, Ogawa's stories delve into the deeper layers of human nature, ethics, and our relationship with the natural world, making them equally captivating for mature readers, literary scholars, and cultural historians.This anthology features two of his most iconic works:1. "The Red Candles and the Mermaid" (Akai Rosoku to Ningyo): A haunting, atmospheric masterpiece that explores themes of trust, betrayal, greed, and nature's ultimate retribution. Set in a quiet northern seaside town, it tells the heartbreaking story of a mermaid child raised by humans, and the tragic consequences when human avarice overrides compassion.2. "The Wild Rose" (Noba): A beautifully quiet, philosophical, and melancholic narrative that reflects on the passing of time, old age, memories, and the quiet camaraderie found across borders. It serves as a poetic meditation on human connection and the silent beauty of the natural environment.Designed for lovers of classic world literature, cultural explorers, and language learners alike, this anthology features a unique side-by-side layout (English on the left page, Japanese on the right page) that allows for a seamless, parallel reading experience. Students of the Japanese language will find this structure immensely helpful for comparing sentence constructions, expanding vocabulary, and grasping cultural nuances in their original context. To further enhance the reading and learning experience, this collection is equipped with detailed annotations and cultural notes. These explanatory guides provide crucial context on archaic vocabulary, cultural symbols, and historical backgrounds, making the text fully accessible to international readers who are encountering pre-war Japanese literature for the first time.Whether you are studying Japanese to master advanced reading comprehension, exploring the roots of Eastern folklore, or simply seeking an exquisitely crafted addition to your personal library, this edition serves as a perfect bridge to experiencing the lyrical depth of traditional Japanese stories in their truest, most authentic form. Beautifully curated under the independent Transbind label, this edition is an essential treasure for anyone enchanted by the golden age of Japanese literary fairy tales.

• Themen: Belletristik Traditionelle oder kulturelle Geschichten und Nacherzählungen
• ISBN: 9784991494406
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 19.06.2026
• Größe: 229 x 152 mm
• Verlag: Transbind
• Herausgegeben von: Shizuka Amamori