Once and forever
(Book)

Stories originally published in Japanese, translated into a new original, never before published collection.

"The Japanese titles of the stories collected in this volume are, in consecutive order: 'Tsuchigami to kitsune'; 'Hakushu-shogun to sannin kyodai no isha'; 'Otsuberu to zo'; 'Shishi-odori no hajimari'; 'Nametokoyama no kuma'; 'Donguri to yamaneko'; 'Sero-hiki no Goshu'; 'Tokkobe Torako'; 'Yamata no yuri'; 'Chumon no oi ryoriten'; 'Yamaotoko no shigatsu'; 'Dokumomi no sukina shocho-san'; 'Horakuma-gakko o sotsugyo shita sannin'; 'Suisenzuki no yokka'; 'Manazuru to dariya'; 'Kairo-dancho'; 'Tsue nezumi'; 'Matsuri no ban'; 'Kai no hi'; 'Tsukiyo no den-shinbashira'; 'Ken ju koen-rin'; 'Yamanashi'; 'Hayashi no soko'; and 'Yodaka no hoshi.'"--Title page verso.

"A collection of classic, fantastical tales from Northern Japan that are equal parts whimsical and sophisticated, perfect for readers of all ages. Kenji Miyazawa is one of modern Japan's most beloved writers, a great poet and a strange and marvelous spinner of tales, whose sly, humorous, enchanting, and enigmatic stories bear a certain resemblance to those of his contemporary Robert Walser. John Bester's selection and expert translation of Miyazawa's short fiction reflects its full range from the joyful, innocent "Wildcat and the Acorns," to the cautionary tale "The Restaurant of Many Orders," to "The Earthgod and the Fox," which starts out whimsically before taking a tragic turn. Miyazawa also had a deep connection to Japanese folklore and an intense love of the natural world. In "The Wild Pear," what seem to be two slight nature sketches succeed in encapsulating some of the cruelty and compensations of life itself"--,Provided by publisher.

Translated from Japanese.