Edited with an Introduction by Richard Storry. First published over 20 years ago and long out of print, this is a unique interpretation of the essence of Japanese society and individual psychology.
Minamoto Yoshitsune should not have been a samurai. But his story is legend in this real-life saga. This epic warrior tale reads like a novel, but this is the true story of the greatest samurai in Japanese history. When Yoshitsune was just a baby, his father went to war with a rival samurai family—and lost. His father was killed, his mother captured, and his surviving half-brother banished. Yoshitsune was sent away to live in a monastery. Skinny, small, and unskilled in the warrior arts, he nevertheless escaped and learned the ways of the samurai. When the time came for the Minamoto clan to rise up against their enemies, Yoshitsune answered the call. His daring feats and impossible bravery earned him immortality.
A modern-day witch. A 16th-century warlord. And the journey through time that intertwines their fates. A victim of mistaken identity, Ciara finds herself dragged back in time and thrown into the clutches of a maniacal samurai. Risking her life, Ciara manages to escape with a little girl the samurai kidnapped to provoke his rival. While doing so earns her the gratitude of Katsuo, the enemy warlord, an alliance with him comes at a price. Ciara must pretend to be in a relationship with him. Feigning betrothal to a seasoned warlord seems the best way to ensure her safety as she looks for a way home. But the handsome stranger has a dark secret that could land them both in danger. As genuine affection begins to develop between the pair, Katsuo is riddled with doubts. Will his feelings for Ciara interfere with his promise to help her get home? Or will his family’s hidden truth out her life in peril? Keywords: time travel, fantasy romance, Japan, sengoku jidai, warring states, witch, samurai, family secrets, yokai, supernatural powers, medieval, fake marriage, pretend relationship, fake fiancée, supernatural beings, items of power, magic, hurt & comfort, HEA, lord, warlord, nobles, Asia, fade-to-black, free book
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.... 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...
Ever since Kenny discovered his destiny as the bearer of a magical sword, he and his best friend Kiyomi have been protecting the human world from ancient Japanese monsters. Kiyomi is slowly transforming into one of these monsters and only the restoration of the three sacred treasures - the sword, the mirror, and the jewel - can save her. Yet as they complete their mission, they discover that the God of Hell has been manipulating events all along and is now free to unleash his demons on humankind. The forces of life, with Kenny as their companion, must gather their armies for a final showdown.
A fugitive ninja. A kind-hearted witch. 16th-century Japan. Traitors don't deserve a happy ending, do they? Karen has finally found a clue to her cousin Ciara's disappearance. But before she can follow, she's kidnapped and finds herself in a war-torn, 16th-century Japan. The madman that kidnapped her forces Karen to use her magic to enchant weapons in a castle full of half-yokai. To top it off, her magic is restricted. There's no escape… unless she trusts an untrustworthy ninja, Taiki. Taiki is an excellent spy and assassin. He's also a traitor, as Karen learns. If he's willing to betray someone as powerful as Katsuo, what would he do to her? Which is worse; trusting a traitor or facing a bleak life as a slave enchanting weapons? To complicate matters further, she's falling for the aloof ninja even as he struggles between saving her life at the peril of his own. If he helps her—and is caught—he risks certain death. Will her heart survive any outcome? Smoke and Jewel is the second book of the Youkai Treasures series, a fantasy romance set in the sengoku-jidai (16th-century Japan). Keywords: time-travel, timetravel, fantasy romance, faro, Japan, sengoku jidai, warring states, witch, ninja, shinobi, secrets, yokai, demon, dragon, ghost, spectre, yōkai, war, supernatural powers, medieval, traitor, betrayal, supernatural beings, items of power, magic, hurt & comfort, HEA, Asia, fade-to-black
After three lifetimes of searching, Eijiro finally finds his long lost love. But Rui knows it's a mistake. They are enemies. She is spying on him. Moreover, there is no such thing as true love. Foxfire and Lycoris is the 4th book in the Yokai Treasures series, a fantasy romance set in16th-century Japan, filled with magic, and creatures from Japanese folklore. Keywords: kitsune, yokai, demon, spy, star crossed lovers, revenge, lord, Asia
Excerpt from Sword Blades and Poppy Seed N 0 one expects a man to make a chair Without first learning how, but there is a popular impres sion that the poet is born, not made, and that his verses burst from his overflowing heart of them selves. As a matter of fact, the poet must learn his trade in the same manner, and With the same painstaking care, as the cabinet-maker. His heart may overflow with high thoughts and sparkling fancies, but if he cannot convey them to his reader by means of the written word he has no claim to be considered a poet. A workman may be par doned, therefore, for spending a few moments to explain and describe the techhique of his trade. A work of beauty Which cannot stand an inti mate examination is a poor and jerry-built thing. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
An unearthly adversary descends on an idyllic fantasy world, corrupting magic against good and slaughtering innocents, and only a single man can stop him.