Myths and Legends of Japan
F. Hadland Davis

Myths and Legends of Japan is a great introduction to Japanese legends and myths. Unlike other books retelling Japanese legends, Hadland Davis makes copious use of the original Japanese names and even drops one or two Japanese phrases. Moreover, the 31 chapters and 379 pages of narrative text holds a comprehensive collection of entertaining tales and short stories. The list includes some well-known material such as Yuki-Onna, stories from the Nihongi, Urashima the fisherman and folklore about kitsune. Mr. Davis organizes the stories by topics -- the chapters are entitled "Bells," "Flowers and Gardens," Festivals" and "Fans." What makes this compilation a unique one is that it attempts to cover even the most pedestrian of aspects of Japanese mythology and beliefs. Thankfully, Mr. Davis even includes legendary heroes such as Kintaro the Golden Boy, Issunboshi, Yorimasa and Benkei in the collection.

The quality of Mr. Davis' narrative is definitely better than E.T.C. Werner's and he obviously attempts to tell the story as completely as the former. When he is re-telling the legends, Mr. Davis certainly excels. He writes in an easy manner and gets directly to his point. Unfortunately, on occasion, Mr. Davis falters by inserting commentary that seems pompous. When these distractions occur he makes general usage of the phrase "In Japan..." before adding a ton of quotes and names of other writers. His superficial prejudices are as strong as E.T.C. Werner's and often calls the Japanese "little people." Davis also makes sweeping generalizations every now and then that are now proven inaccurate (even foolish).

His references to the Japanese in general all contain a condescending tone and Davis takes so much from Western Literature and quotes from other writers' works on Japan that little is left that is really his. Moreover, his random comparisons to China and England fail to enlighten, inform or entertain. Although generally pleasing, Davis' anecdotes lack the enthusiasm A.B. Mitford and Yakumo Koizumi exhibits in their works.

On the plus side, Hadland Davis mentions some excellent authors and translators such as Lafcadio Hearn, Madame Yukio Ozaki and Prof. Basil Hall Chamberlain in his preface, giving them credit for translations and inspiration for making Myths and Legends of Japan.

The serious reader can generally overlook much of Mr. Davis' tendencies seeing as he wrote the book in 1912-1913. Although he had a great number of knowledgeable contemporaries, Mr. Davis of course did not have the luxury of the resources modern writers like Royall Tyler or Donald Keene now have access to. In many ways, Myths and Legends of Japan can still be considered fresh and an extremely amusing work of literature to be read at one's leisure. And Evelyn Paul's illustrations serve only to add icing to the cake.

Rating:


  
 
August Issue