The Book of Yōkai (Expanded Second Edition)
Mysterious Creatures of Japanese
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
The Book of Yōkai (Expanded Second Edition)
Buy for $21.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Tim Campbell
About this listen
Significantly expanded and updated—a lively excursion into Japanese folklore and its increasing influence within global popular culture.
Monsters, spirits, fantastic beings, and supernatural creatures haunt the folklore and popular culture of Japan. Broadly labeled yōkai, they appear in many forms, from tengu mountain goblins and kappa water sprites, to shape-shifting kitsune foxes and long-tongued ceiling-lickers. Popular today in anime, manga, film, and video games, many yōkai originated in local legends, folktales, and regional ghost stories. The Book of Yōkai invites listeners to examine how people create, transmit, and collect folklore, and how they make sense of the mysteries in the world around them.
Revised and expanded, this second edition features fifty new illustrations, including an all-new yōkai gallery of stunning color images tracing the visual history of yōkai across centuries. In clear and accessible language, Michael Dylan Foster unpacks the cultural and historical contexts of yōkai, interpreting their varied meanings and introducing people who have pursued them through the ages.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Michael Dylan Foster (P)2025 Tantor MediaListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Book of Japanese Folklore: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth
- The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster Kitsune, Horrendous Oni, and More
- By: Thersa Matsuura
- Narrated by: Thersa Matsuura
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. With information on their cultural significance, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games.
By: Thersa Matsuura
-
Encyclopedia of Spirits
- The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses
- By: Judika Illes
- Narrated by: Ann Richardson
- Length: 64 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 9
The Encyclopedia of Spirits is a comprehensive and entertaining A to Z of spirits from around this world and the next. In this book, meet love goddesses and disease demons, guardians of children and guardians of cadavers. Discover Celtic goddesses and goddesses of the Kabbalah, female Buddhas, African Powers, Dragon Ladies, White Ladies, Black Madonnas, the Green Man, the Green Fairy, lots and lots of ghosts, djinn, mermaids, fairies, and more. From the beneficent to the mischievous, working with these spirits can bring good fortune....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Love it.
- By Jonathan on 08-14-22
By: Judika Illes
-
Korean Mythology Collection
- The Stories, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Folktales, and History of Korea
- By: William Elliot Griffis, Im Bang, Yi Ryuk, and others
- Narrated by: James Francis Markert
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 17
Whether you're a lover of mythology, a student of Korean culture, or simply in search of a mesmerizing listen, this collection offers a treasure trove of stories that have withstood the test of time. Delve into this book and let the magic of Korean mythology enchant you.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Entertaining and informative
- By S A Smith on 11-14-23
By: William Elliot Griffis, and others
-
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
- Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D.
- By: Nicholas Meyer
- Narrated by: David Case
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 185
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 166
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 167
This "rediscovered" Sherlock Holmes adventure recounts the unique collaboration of Holmes and Sigmund Freud in the solution of a mystery on which the lives of millions may depend.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Did I Get the Same Book Everyone Else Got?
- By Troy on 08-28-13
By: Nicholas Meyer
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
Asian Journals
- India and Japan (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
- By: Joseph Campbell
- Narrated by: Fred Stella
- Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
At the beginning of his career, Joseph Campbell developed a lasting fascination with the cultures of the Far East, and explorations of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy later became recurring motifs in his vast body of work. However, Campbell had to wait until middle age to visit the lands that inspired him so deeply. In 1954, he took a sabbatical from his teaching position and embarked on a year-long voyage through India, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and finally Japan.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a journey!
- By Anonymous User on 08-11-18
By: Joseph Campbell
-
The Book of Japanese Folklore: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth
- The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster Kitsune, Horrendous Oni, and More
- By: Thersa Matsuura
- Narrated by: Thersa Matsuura
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. With information on their cultural significance, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games.
By: Thersa Matsuura
-
Encyclopedia of Spirits
- The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses
- By: Judika Illes
- Narrated by: Ann Richardson
- Length: 64 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 9
The Encyclopedia of Spirits is a comprehensive and entertaining A to Z of spirits from around this world and the next. In this book, meet love goddesses and disease demons, guardians of children and guardians of cadavers. Discover Celtic goddesses and goddesses of the Kabbalah, female Buddhas, African Powers, Dragon Ladies, White Ladies, Black Madonnas, the Green Man, the Green Fairy, lots and lots of ghosts, djinn, mermaids, fairies, and more. From the beneficent to the mischievous, working with these spirits can bring good fortune....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Love it.
- By Jonathan on 08-14-22
By: Judika Illes
-
Korean Mythology Collection
- The Stories, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Folktales, and History of Korea
- By: William Elliot Griffis, Im Bang, Yi Ryuk, and others
- Narrated by: James Francis Markert
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 17
Whether you're a lover of mythology, a student of Korean culture, or simply in search of a mesmerizing listen, this collection offers a treasure trove of stories that have withstood the test of time. Delve into this book and let the magic of Korean mythology enchant you.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Entertaining and informative
- By S A Smith on 11-14-23
By: William Elliot Griffis, and others
-
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
- Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D.
- By: Nicholas Meyer
- Narrated by: David Case
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 185
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 166
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 167
This "rediscovered" Sherlock Holmes adventure recounts the unique collaboration of Holmes and Sigmund Freud in the solution of a mystery on which the lives of millions may depend.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Did I Get the Same Book Everyone Else Got?
- By Troy on 08-28-13
By: Nicholas Meyer
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
Asian Journals
- India and Japan (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
- By: Joseph Campbell
- Narrated by: Fred Stella
- Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
At the beginning of his career, Joseph Campbell developed a lasting fascination with the cultures of the Far East, and explorations of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy later became recurring motifs in his vast body of work. However, Campbell had to wait until middle age to visit the lands that inspired him so deeply. In 1954, he took a sabbatical from his teaching position and embarked on a year-long voyage through India, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and finally Japan.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a journey!
- By Anonymous User on 08-11-18
By: Joseph Campbell
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
The Book of Japanese Folklore: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth
- The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster Kitsune, Horrendous Oni, and More
- By: Thersa Matsuura
- Narrated by: Thersa Matsuura
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. With information on their cultural significance, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games.
By: Thersa Matsuura
-
Tales of Japan
- Traditional Stories of Monsters and Magic
- By: Chronicle Books
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story3 out of 5 stars 1
A goblin with no body and a monster with no face. A resourceful samurai and a faithful daughter. A spirit of the moon and a dragon king. This collection of 15 traditional Japanese folktales transports listeners to a time of adventure and enchantment. Drawn from the works of folklorists Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki, these tales are by turns terrifying, exhilarating, and poetic.
By: Chronicle Books
-
Japanese Mythology Unleashed
- Discover Shinto Deities, Yōkai, and Historic Heroes on a Journey through Ancient Japan
- By: Anthony Poe
- Narrated by: Xander Krivacka
- Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 50
Dive into the mystical world of ancient Japan and uncover its incredible deities, mythical creatures, and heroic tales, even if you're new to folklore! Are you fascinated by Japan's rich culture and history?Discover captivating tales of Shinto gods, Yōkai, and legendary heroes that shape Japan's cultural heritage.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Deeper than a tourist info into Japanese Legends
- By desjef on 02-08-25
By: Anthony Poe
-
Greek Mythology
- Classic Stories of the Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters (Classic Mythology, Book 1)
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser
- Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 36
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 36
This captivating audiobook will take you on a beautiful journey through the fascinating world of Greek mythology. From the beginning of the cosmos to the Odyssey, be ready to venture into an exciting world of love, loyalty, infidelity, vengeance, deception, and intrigue!
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A great way to gain insight to Ancient Greece
- By cosmitron on 07-27-18
By: Scott Lewis
-
The Empathy Fix
- Why Poverty Persists and How to Change It
- By: Keetie Roelen
- Narrated by: Allegra Marland
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Story0 out of 5 stars 0
Poverty is bad for everyone. Being at the sharp end of disadvantage is shameful, reduces brainpower, and hampers positive action. It increases crime, burdens healthcare systems and raises taxpayers' bills. With millions around the world struggling to make ends meet and increased socioeconomic uncertainty making poverty a more probable prospect for many more, tackling poverty has never been more urgent. The Empathy Fix exposes the realities of poverty and reveals why policies don't work. It is a radical rethink of current efforts to tackle poverty, what it means and how we break the cycle.
By: Keetie Roelen
-
War in Japan
- 1467-1615
- By: Stephen Turnbull
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 6
In 1467, the Onin War ushered in a period of unparalleled conflict and rivalry in Japan that came to be called the Age of Warring States. In this book, Stephen Turnbull offers a masterly exposition of the wars, explaining what led to Japan’s disintegration into rival domains after more than a century of relative peace, the years of fighting that followed and the period of gradual fusion when the daimyo (great names) strove to reunite Japan under a new Shogun. Peace returned to Japan with the end of the Osaka War in 1615.
By: Stephen Turnbull
-
The Book of Japanese Folklore: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth
- The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster Kitsune, Horrendous Oni, and More
- By: Thersa Matsuura
- Narrated by: Thersa Matsuura
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. With information on their cultural significance, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games.
By: Thersa Matsuura
-
Tales of Japan
- Traditional Stories of Monsters and Magic
- By: Chronicle Books
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story3 out of 5 stars 1
A goblin with no body and a monster with no face. A resourceful samurai and a faithful daughter. A spirit of the moon and a dragon king. This collection of 15 traditional Japanese folktales transports listeners to a time of adventure and enchantment. Drawn from the works of folklorists Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki, these tales are by turns terrifying, exhilarating, and poetic.
By: Chronicle Books
-
Japanese Mythology Unleashed
- Discover Shinto Deities, Yōkai, and Historic Heroes on a Journey through Ancient Japan
- By: Anthony Poe
- Narrated by: Xander Krivacka
- Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 50
Dive into the mystical world of ancient Japan and uncover its incredible deities, mythical creatures, and heroic tales, even if you're new to folklore! Are you fascinated by Japan's rich culture and history?Discover captivating tales of Shinto gods, Yōkai, and legendary heroes that shape Japan's cultural heritage.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Deeper than a tourist info into Japanese Legends
- By desjef on 02-08-25
By: Anthony Poe
-
Greek Mythology
- Classic Stories of the Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters (Classic Mythology, Book 1)
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser
- Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 36
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 36
This captivating audiobook will take you on a beautiful journey through the fascinating world of Greek mythology. From the beginning of the cosmos to the Odyssey, be ready to venture into an exciting world of love, loyalty, infidelity, vengeance, deception, and intrigue!
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A great way to gain insight to Ancient Greece
- By cosmitron on 07-27-18
By: Scott Lewis
-
The Empathy Fix
- Why Poverty Persists and How to Change It
- By: Keetie Roelen
- Narrated by: Allegra Marland
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Story0 out of 5 stars 0
Poverty is bad for everyone. Being at the sharp end of disadvantage is shameful, reduces brainpower, and hampers positive action. It increases crime, burdens healthcare systems and raises taxpayers' bills. With millions around the world struggling to make ends meet and increased socioeconomic uncertainty making poverty a more probable prospect for many more, tackling poverty has never been more urgent. The Empathy Fix exposes the realities of poverty and reveals why policies don't work. It is a radical rethink of current efforts to tackle poverty, what it means and how we break the cycle.
By: Keetie Roelen
-
War in Japan
- 1467-1615
- By: Stephen Turnbull
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 6
In 1467, the Onin War ushered in a period of unparalleled conflict and rivalry in Japan that came to be called the Age of Warring States. In this book, Stephen Turnbull offers a masterly exposition of the wars, explaining what led to Japan’s disintegration into rival domains after more than a century of relative peace, the years of fighting that followed and the period of gradual fusion when the daimyo (great names) strove to reunite Japan under a new Shogun. Peace returned to Japan with the end of the Osaka War in 1615.
By: Stephen Turnbull
-
Japanese Mythology Collection
- Japanese Fairy Tales and Aino Folk-Tales (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- By: Iwaya Sazanami, Basil Hall Chamberlain
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
Discover fascinating ancient Japanese fairy tales as well as the folk tales of the Ainu/Aino. The first book in this collection, titled Japanese Fairy Tales, was written by Iwaya Sazanami and translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, a 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. The second book in this collection is a rare one that is not usually available in audio format: Aino Folk-Tales by Basil Chamberlain, one of the most prominent British Japanologists active in Japan during the latter half of the 19th century.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
The reader...:(
- By Sara Penn on 02-24-24
By: Iwaya Sazanami, and others
-
In the Shadow of Quetzalcoatl
- Zelia Nuttall and the Search for Mexico's Ancient Civilizations
- By: Merilee Grindle
- Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell
- Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Where do human societies come from? The drive to answer this question took on a new urgency in the nineteenth century, when a generation of archaeologists began to look beyond the bible for the origins of different cultures and civilizations. Zelia Nuttall threw herself into the study of Aztec customs and cosmology, eager to use the tools of the emerging science of anthropology to prove that modern Mexico was built over the ruins of ancient civilizations.
By: Merilee Grindle
-
Shinto: The Way Home
- Dimensions of Asian Spirituality
- By: Thomas P. Kasulis
- Narrated by: Dean Sluyter
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 193
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 169
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 168
Nine out of ten Japanese claim some affiliation with Shinto, but in the West the religion remains the least studied of the major Asian spiritual traditions. It is so interlaced with Japanese cultural values and practices that scholarly studies usually focus on only one of its dimensions: Shinto as a "nature religion", an "imperial state religion", a "primal religion", or a "folk amalgam of practices and beliefs". Thomas Kasulis' fresh approach to Shinto explains with clarity and economy how these different aspects interrelate.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Limited information on actual Shinto practice.
- By John O'Neill on 05-03-17
-
We Hold These "Truths"
- How to Spot the Myths That Are Holding America Back
- By: Casey Burgat
- Narrated by: Deanna Anthony, Sean Patrick Hopkins
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Story0 out of 5 stars 0
Former congressional staffer turned George Washington University grad school professor Casey Burgat leads a diverse team of officials, academics, and experts from both sides of the aisle to expose the lies at the heart of our political dysfunction. They debunk talking points about term limits, lobbyists, money in politics, and more—offering real-world insights into how our government actually works.
By: Casey Burgat
-
The Tale of Genji, Volume 1
- By: Murasaki Shikibu, Dennis Washburn - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 173
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 147
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 146
Murasaki Shikibu, born into the middle ranks of the aristocracy during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), wrote The Tale of Genji, widely considered the world's first novel, during the early years of the 11th century. Expansive, compelling, and sophisticated in its representation of ethical concerns and aesthetic ideals, Murasaki's tale came to occupy a central place in Japan's remarkable history of artistic achievement and is now recognized as a masterpiece of world literature.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Tales of Genji
- By Amazon Customer on 02-24-20
By: Murasaki Shikibu, and others
-
The Pillow Book
- By: Sei Shōnagon
- Narrated by: Georgina Sutton
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 37
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the closing years of the 10th century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthrals with its lively gossip, witty observations and subtle impressions. Lady Shōnagon was an erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, The Tale of Genji, fictionalized the elite world Lady Shōnagon so eloquently relates.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Exquisite. Truly!
- By Erick DuPree on 01-10-23
By: Sei Shōnagon