Tales of Old Japan

by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford Redesdale

"Tales of Old Japan" by Baron Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford Redesdale is an anthology published in 1871. This collection presents short stories and firsthand accounts that illuminate Japanese life before the Meiji Restoration. The work blends adapted tales from Japanese sources—including stories of revenge, supernatural creatures, and folk wisdom—with the author's eyewitness observations of traditional ceremonies. From the legendary forty-seven ronins to shape-shifting foxes and grateful cats, these narratives offer Western readers an introduction to Japanese literature, culture, and ritual practices.