
audiobook
ILLUSTRATIONS
THE QUEST OF THE SWORD
PART II
PART III
PART IV
THE TRAGEDY OF KESA GOZEN
THE SPIRIT OF THE LANTERN
THE REINCARNATION OF TAMA
THE LADY OF THE PICTURE
URSATO, OR THE CROWN OF DAWN - THE POSITION AT THE OPENING OF THE STORY
A vivid tapestry of feudal Japan unfolds through a series of tightly wound episodes, each brimming with honor, longing, and the uncanny. From a samurai’s breath‑less astonishment at a living painting to the desperate clash of blades that leaves rivals dying side by side, the stories plunge listeners into moments where duty and desire collide. Ghostly apparitions, moonlit revelations, and whispered prayers weave a subtle supernatural thread that haunts every encounter.
In quieter interludes, lovers part under the shadow of war, a devoted wife’s prayers echo through temple halls, and a young man’s heart races at the sight of a mysterious maiden at a gate. Rivalries among retainers flare, and the relentless pursuit of vengeance drives characters to the brink of ruin. Yet amidst bloodshed and sorrow, the narratives also celebrate simple joys—a game of go, a tender song by a koto, childhood play beneath cherry blossoms—offering a balanced portrait of life in a world bound by strict codes and fleeting beauty.
Full title
Romances of Old Japan Rendered into English from Japanese Sources Rendered into English from Japanese Sources
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (345K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2014-06-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

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