Classic European fairy tales are familiar to many, but fewer readers are acquainted with tales from faraway lands. This charming anthology of thirty tales and legends from Japan are as unique and delightfully intriguing today as they were when first published.Author Grace James selected the stories from many sources—the Ko-ji-ki, or Record of Ancient Matters, which contains the mythology of Japan, as well as tales told from memory and handed down from generation to generation. Included in the collection are enjoyable accounts of "The Singing Bird of Heaven, " "The Wind in the Pine Tree, " "The Star Lovers, " "The Peony Lantern, " "The Sea King and the Magic Jewels, " "The Beautiful Dancer of Yedo, " the title piece, and twenty-three other enchanting tales.