"As in many countries, storytelling is a revered art in Japan, and traditional tales have been carefully preserved for centuries. Yet only a small portion of Japan's tales has been shared with English-speaking audiences. From one of Japan's most popular and respected storytellers, this collection introduces readers to more than 40 wondrous tales from rural Japan-stories that have not previously been seen or heard-from animal tales and tales of supernatural beings to stories about village characters and priests and their apprentices" -- back cover.