This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore. Grateful acknowledgment is due to Mr. Y. Yasuoka, Miss Fusa Okamoto, my brother Nobumori Ozaki, Dr. Yoshihiro Takaki, and Miss Kameko Yamao, who have helped me with translations. The story which I have named "The Story of the Man who did not Wish to Die" is taken from a little book written a hundred years ago by one Shinsui Tamenaga. It is named Chosei Furo, or "Longevity." "The Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-child" is taken from the classic "Taketari Monogatari," and is NOT classed by the Japanese among their fairy tales, though it really belongs to this class of literature. ? In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in adding such touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or as pleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incident from another version. At all times, among my friends, both young and old, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to the beautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I have also found that they were still unknown to the vast majority, and this has encouraged me to write them for the children of the West. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Y. T. O. ? MY LORD BAG OF RICE ? "Long, long ago there lived, in Japan a brave warrior known to all as Tawara Toda, or "My Lord Bag of Rice." His true name was Fujiwara Hidesato, and there is a very interesting story of how he came to change his name. One day he sallied forth in search of adventures, for he had the nature of a warrior and could not bear to be idle. So he buckled on his two swords, took his huge bow, much taller than himself, in his hand, and slinging his quiver on his back started out. He had not gone far when he came to the bridge of Seta-no-Karashi spanning one end of the beautiful Lake Biwa. No sooner had he set foot on the bridge than he saw lying right across his path a huge serpent-dragon. Its body was so big that it looked like the trunk of a large pine tree and it took up the whole width of the bridge. One of its huge claws rested on the parapet of one side of the bridge, while its tail lay right against the other. The monster seemed to be asleep, and as it breathed, fire and smoke came out of its nostrils. ? At first Hidesato could not help feeling alarmed at the sight of this horrible reptile lying in his path, for he must either turn back or walk right over its body. He was a brave man, however, and putting aside all fear went forward dauntlessly. Crunch, crunch! he stepped now on the dragon's body, now between its coils, and without even one glance backward he went on his way. .."

Cursed in love death was coming for her once again...? Sexy, smart and career ambitious,? South African Detective Scarlet Anne Martins get's the career opportunity of her life -? working for the NYPD on The Special Crimes Unit.? After landing a high profile case involving the escape of a notorious serial killer, her career jumps from NYPD freelancing detective to consulting for the FBI.? But never had she imagined how quickly those dreams could slip through her fingers when she meets her new partner Agent Blade, who appears to have a vendetta against killer she's assigned to bring down.??? At a shocking turn of events, Scarlet finds?herself a fugitive in a foreign country after being framed for a fatal bombing and?aiding the escape of a Serial Killer. She starts to suspect her new partner was put on her path as a distraction, that is?until he saves her life. Despite?herself she can no long deny her feeling for Agent Blade, and her desperation to save him will ultimately be what? could kill them both.?

Mai has everything. Friends, a job, and a loving man in her life. But just when she thinks she has it all, Jake pops the question. Suddenly, everything changes.? The minute Jake declares his undying love, their journey begins. Swept up in a sea of adventure, Mai will travel to Norway to meet the most dreaded of all creatures- The Inlaws. Along the way, Mai and Jake will battle all manner of supernatural creatures to get to the altar, only to find?out that this is just the beginning. Life as they know?it will never be the same.

First Love

The Age of Bismarck

The Age of Charlemagne

Ayesha

The Cinema Murder

Castle of Terror

Charles I

The Empire of Alexander the Great

David Copperfield

History of Europe 1870-1919

History of the Anglo-Saxons

The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal

Early Kings of Norway

A Small Boy and Others

Don Quixote

Emma

The Story of Greece

England in the Late Middle Ages