Fairy maiden - Otogibouko

A collection of supernatural stories by Azai Ryoi, published in 1666 (Kanbun 6). 13 volumes, 68 stories. A collection of supernatural stories representative of the early modern period. Most of the material is taken from Chinese supernatural stories and miscellaneous books, but the clever adaptations have made it so Japanese that it no longer feels exotic. About 30% of the stories are strange tales, but the main feature is that it moves the time period to Japan's Warring States period, creating a fantastical and romantic world. In particular, 18 stories are taken from Qu You's "Xinhua of Jian Leng" (4 volumes, 20 stories), and some say that the lyrical adaptation is even better than the original. By adding human grudges and passions to Japanese supernatural stories, which had a strong hint of Buddhist retribution, this work established the style of supernatural stories from the early modern period.

[Yutaka Emoto]

"Complete Collection of Japanese Masterpieces 10: Collection of Ghost Stories" (1927, Dosho Kankokai) "Early Modern Literature Series 3" (Reprint of the Kokusho Kankokai Series, 1976, Daiichi Shobo)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

浅井了意(りょうい)の仮名草子。1666年（寛文6）刊。13巻68話。近世初期を代表する怪異小説集。その素材のほとんどを中国の怪異小説ならびに雑書から得るが、巧みな翻案でまったく異国臭を感じさせないほど日本化している。約3割の奇譚(きたん)を含むがおもに時代を日本の戦国に移して幻想的・浪漫(ろうまん)的世界を創出するのが特徴。とくに明(みん)の瞿佑(くゆう)の『剪灯(せんとう)新話』（4巻20話）からは18話とっており、叙情性豊かな翻案文は原作以上との評もある。仏教的応報のにおいが強かったわが国の怪異譚に人間のもつ怨念(おんねん)や情念を付加、近世怪異小説のスタイルを確立した。

［江本　裕］

『『日本名著全集10　怪談名作集』（1927・同書刊行会）』▽『『近世文芸叢書3』（国書刊行会叢書本復刻・1976・第一書房）』

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