Автор: Sazanami Iwaya

Sazanami Iwaya, a celebrated figure in Japanese literature, is noted for his contributions in collecting and retelling traditional Japanese tales for modern audiences. Born as Iwaya Haruno in 1870, he adopted “Sazanami” as his pen name, meaning “rippling waves, ” which reflects the gentle and accessible nature of his storytelling. He was instrumental in the Meiji era”s cultural rejuvenation, where Western influences and a return to native forms coexisted. His seminal work “The Japanese Fairy Book” (1908), also known as “Nihon Mukashibanashi” in Japanese, is an anthology of classic Japanese folktales. This collection is cherished for its charming and engaging retellings of stories that were traditionally passed down orally. These tales, set in an era when myth and history mingled, offer glimpses into the mystical world of Japan replete with its gods, spirits, and magical creatures. It includes popular stories such as “Momotaro” or “The Peach Boy, ” “Urashima Taro, ” and “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow, ” to name a few. Iwaya”s literary style is characterized by its lyrical prose and didactic themes, aiming to entertain as well as to impart moral lessons to children. His work played a pivotal role in the preservation of Japan”s oral narrative tradition by translating these stories into written form for posterity. Through “The Japanese Fairy Book, ” Iwaya Sazanami has left an indelible mark on the world of folklore and literature and continues to inspire and enchant readers to this day.