Classic Japanese

A humble clerk and his loving wife scrape out a quiet existence on the margins of Tokyo. Resigned, following years of exile and misfortune, to the bitter consequences of having married without their families' consent, and unable to have children of their own, Sosuke and Oyone find the delicate equilibrium of their household upset by a new obligation to meet the educational expenses of Sosuke's brash younger brother. While an unlikely new friendship appears to offer a way out of this bind, it also soon threatens to dredge up a past that could once again force them to flee the capital.

In ancient Japan, a peasant couple discovers a little boy inside a giant peach. Momotaro, the Peachboy, grows up to become a courageous hero who vanquishes forever the evil band of ogres who have been tormenting his people. In this wonderful tale, narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver, good triumphs over evil, life overcomes death, and nature flourishes in the face of destruction.

A novella with the quirkiness of Japanese mysteries and lingering suspense that grows with every page. They barely know each other, but their lives are about to entangle in unexpected ways. Paul, Krishna, Gloria, and Varsha have nothing in common. Only that they have time on their hands to take Spanish language classes and are free for an hour after it to hang around in a café. Over the course of three months, the four grow close to each other, sharing the joys and tribulations of their lives. Paul is lonely after his wife’s death and wanders about the city, collecting plants. Krishna is...

Originally published in 1922 and translated by Takashi Kojima, this classic short story was the inspiration for Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film Rashomon, about the murder of a samurai. Told from the perspective of multiple witnesses.

内容紹介

日本の文学史上最古にして最高傑作ともいわれる『源氏物語』。

紫式部によって書かれた全五十四帖にわたる長編小説を、わかりやすく情感豊かに読み上げました。

Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji in the 11th century to entertain the other women in the court. It follows the romantic exploits of the title character, an emperor’s son, as he navigates life within aristocratic society and eventually outside of it. Praised for its psychological insight into the characters’ motivations, the book greatly influenced Japanese culture and is widely considered the world’s first novel. In 1882, Suematsu Kencho translated a condensed version of the text into English, allowing this classic tale to reach a wider audience.

琵琶法師の語りによって全国に広まった物語を今、朗読であらためて語り継ぐ――

When her cozy hometown is visited by death, Emma's investigative skills are enlisted by a secretive ghost. But with the uncooperative spirit holding so much back, and with the handsome local doctor pressing Emma for answers, will she ever get to the bottom of the case? Or will the Hollow be forever haunted by the secrets of the past?

One of the first recorded alien visitor stories, from Japan in around 900 AD. Taken from the translation by Yei Theodora Ozaki. Includes a very early version of an interplanetary society. The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Japanese: 竹取物語, Hepburn: Taketori Monogatari) is a monogatari (fictional prose narrative) containing elements of Japanese folklore. Written by an unknown author in the late 9th or early 10th century during the Heian period, it is considered the oldest surviving work in the monogatari form.

Are you interested in learning about Japanese mythology? Are you intrigued by the culture of Japan? Are you looking for some interesting stories to read? These myths are great from adults and children alike. They give you an insight into a culture that is full of traditions. These myths are like nothing you have ever read before. You will find that Japanese mythology is not based in only one belief system. These myths and folktales are based in their Shinto and Buddhist traditions. The origin stories within Japanese mythology can vary.

Ex-archaeology grad student turned international antiquities thief Alix - better known now as Owl - has one rule. No supernatural jobs. Ever. Until she crosses paths with Mr. Kurosawa, a red dragon who owns and runs the Japanese Circus Casino in Las Vegas. He insists Owl retrieve an artifact stolen 3,000 years ago and makes her an offer she can't refuse: He'll get rid of a pack of vampires that want her dead.

A collection of stories from the Land of the Rising Sun. The tales come from a rich folk tradition. Fantasy and horror intermingle in these imaginative narratives.

日本最古の物語が誘うロマンあふれる古代世界訳文で楽しむ「現代語訳編」古典文学の主要作品をセレクトし、現代語訳と原文とで構成した「日本の古典をよむ」（全20冊）シリーズの1冊です。

Chris Harding's enormously enjoyable new book distils Japan's long, complex and fascinating history into the stories of 20 remarkable individuals. These vivid and entertaining portraits take the listener from the earliest written accounts of Japan right through to the life of the current empress, Masako. We encounter shamans and warlords, poets and revolutionaries, scientists, artists and adventurers - each offering insights of their own into this extraordinary place.

Based on Japanese literature and foldlore, Kwaidan contains 17 stories. The story of Loichi, the blind biwa player who was called to perform for the dead; of Muso, the journeying priest who encountered a man eating goblin; of the samurai who outwitted the ghost of a dead man. All these plus 14 other spooly tales are included in this collection.

日本文学最大の傑作を、小説としての魅力を余すことなく現代に甦えらせた角田源氏。輝く皇子として誕生した光源氏が、数多くの恋と波瀾に満ちた運命に動かされてゆく。「桐壺」から「末摘花」までを収録。

栄華の頂点と、忍び寄る影――藤壺の宮との秘めた子が新帝に立ち、理想郷である広大な六条院が落成する。愛とかなしみに、ますますドラマが動く！

貴族・僧・武士・庶民・盗賊…さまざまな生を描く日本最大の説話集古典文学の主要作品をセレクトし、現代語訳と原文とで構成した「日本の古典をよむ」（全20冊）シリーズの1冊です。「今昔物語集」は平安末期に成立したと考えられている説話集。天竺＝インド、震旦＝中国、本朝＝日本の三地域にわけて収めた千を超える説話から、本朝部の著名な37話を選び出しました。

This audiobook is for those who want an easy-to-follow guide that will make learning the Japanese language both fun and simple. This audiobook is specifically created for travelers, students, and businesspeople who visit Japan.

日本最古とも言われ、仮名によって書かれた最初期の物語とも言われる。さぬきのみやつこまろは、竹を取り色々なものを作って商売をしていたため、竹取の翁と言われていました。いつものように竹やぶを歩いていると光り輝く竹があり、中には三寸ばかりの美しい女の子がおりました。翁は少女を大切に育て、なよたけのかぐやひめと名づけました。成長したかぐやひめの美しさはいつしか評判となり、やがて5人の男が結婚を申し出てきました。かぐやひめは逢うための条件として、5人の男に大変むずかしい注文を言いつけました…。竹取物語のストーリーはとても有名で、古文の問題としてもよく出題されています。そんな竹取物語を分かりやすい現代語訳で聴いてみませんか?