This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion
made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have
been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin.
These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese
story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully
preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young
readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.

Grateful acknowledgment is due to Mr. Y. Yasuoka, Miss Fusa Okamoto,
my brother Nobumori Ozaki, Dr. Yoshihiro Takaki, and Miss Kameko Yamao,
who have helped me with translations.

The story which I have named "The Story of the Man who did not Wish to
Die" is taken from a little book written a hundred years ago by one
Shinsui Tamenaga. It is named Chosei Furo, or "Longevity." "The
Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-child" is taken from the classic "Taketari
Monogatari," and is NOT classed by the Japanese among their fairy
tales, though it really belongs to this class of literature.

The pictures were drawn by Mr. Kakuzo Fujiyama, a Tokio artist.

In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in adding
such touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or as
pleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incident
from another version. At all times, among my friends, both young and
old, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to the
beautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I have
also found that they were still unknown to the vast majority, and this
has encouraged me to write them for the children of the West.

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