"This monumental work has now become... the indispensable tool of all folk narrative scholars." --Southern Folklore Quarterly "A work of this kind can never be quite complete, but in this work Stith Thompson has approached perfection." --Volkskunde "An invaluable aid to students and scholars... " --Reference & Research Book News Indiana University Press, with the generous support of the L. J. and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, is pleased to announce the republication of this folklore classic, in honor of the centenary of the American Folklore Society.
Once upon a time there lived a king who ruled by fear and oppression. He foolishly set free the Goddess of Destruction, and her wrath destroyed his Kingdom, causing great misery. As punishment she was sealed away in a box locked with many keys and the keys were then scattered throughout the world in an attempt to imprision her forever. Many years have passed, and now a lone Samurai seeking the ultimate duel wished to challenge the Goddess of Destruction . this is his story.