搜神後記. Selections. 1985

A wandering reader will find themselves drawn into a kaleidoscope of uncanny episodes set across ancient lands. From a lone scholar who learns the ways of the Tao on a mist‑clad mountain, to a transformed crane that speaks cryptic riddles, each vignette hints at hidden realms where ordinary people stumble upon secret passages, enchanted waters, and mysterious benefactors. The tales weave together curious encounters—a youth who nearly shoots a celestial bird, a lost wanderer rescued by a game of Go, and a fisherman who discovers a secluded valley untouched by history—painting a world where the veil between the mundane and the supernatural feels thin.

The collection also offers glimpses of everyday lives intersecting with the extraordinary: farmers who find strange hollow stones, officials who summon mythic beasts, and wandering mystics who perform odd rituals. These stories, told with vivid detail and a touch of humor, invite listeners to imagine a past where dragons, hidden caves, and whispered incantations could alter the course of a simple day. The result is a mesmerizing tapestry of legend that feels both timeless and immediate.