Tales of Times Now Past

Tales of Times Now Past is a collection of medieval Japanese stories translated and edited by Marian Ury. The anthology presents stories from the Konjaku Monogatari, a collection assembled in the late Heian period (12th century). The translations cover a range of narrative styles and subjects, from Buddhist religious tales to secular stories of warriors, merchants, and common people. These stories provide snapshots of daily life, social customs, and religious practices in medieval Japan. The collection moves between different regions of Japan and various levels of society, from imperial courts to rural villages. Ury's translation maintains the straightforward storytelling approach of the original texts while making them accessible to English readers. The stories collectively paint a picture of medieval Japanese values, beliefs, and worldview, particularly highlighting the intersection of Buddhist teachings with folk traditions. Through these tales, readers can observe how narrative traditions helped shape Japanese cultural identity.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this collection of medieval Japanese tales. The book appears to be out of print and primarily referenced in academic contexts. Likes: - Clear, accessible translations that maintain the original narrative style - Helpful footnotes and cultural context - Selection represents diverse types of setsuwa tales - Academic but readable for general audiences Dislikes: - Some readers found the historical background sections too brief - A few note that certain tales feel repetitive Available Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (based on only 8 ratings) No Amazon reviews found The small number of available reviews come mainly from university students and readers interested in Japanese literature. One reader on Goodreads noted it provides "an excellent introduction to medieval Japanese Buddhist tales." Only two detailed written reviews exist online, both from academic sources rather than general readers.

The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon This collection of observations and anecdotes from 10th-century Japan presents court life through personal writings in a similar style to medieval Japanese prose tales.

Essays in Idleness by Kenko The Buddhist monk's 14th-century work combines philosophical musings with accounts of Japanese court life and folklore in brief, interconnected segments.

The Tale of the Heike by Anonymous This epic account of the 12th-century Genpei War blends historical events with Buddhist philosophy and supernatural elements in the tradition of medieval Japanese literature.

One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each translated by Peter McMillan This anthology of classical Japanese poetry presents court life, love, and nature through carefully curated waka poems from the same era as many tales in Ury's collection.

Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600 edited by Haruo Shirane This comprehensive collection includes setsuwa tales, court literature, and Buddhist stories that share themes and styles with the medieval Japanese tales in Ury's work.

🔖 Tales of Times Now Past is one of the first English translations of setsuwa - brief Japanese narratives from the medieval period that blend Buddhist teachings, folklore, and historical accounts. 🎯 The stories in the collection were originally compiled in 1120-1124 by Minamoto no Takakuni, a Japanese nobleman who gathered tales from both oral and written sources. ✨ Marian Ury, the translator, was a pioneering scholar of Japanese literature who taught at the University of California, Berkeley and helped introduce many classical Japanese texts to Western readers. 📚 The original Japanese text, known as Konjaku Monogatari-shū, contains over 1,000 stories divided into 31 volumes, though Ury's translation focuses on a carefully selected subset. 🌸 Many of the tales feature supernatural elements like shape-shifting foxes, vengeful spirits, and magical Buddhist monks - reflecting the complex blend of native Shinto beliefs and imported Buddhist philosophy in medieval Japan.