Zur Einführung
by Unknown · from Japanische Märchen
Adapted Version
Hello, my dear friend! Do you like stories? I have a special secret. I will tell you.
I want to tell you about Japan. It is a land far away. It is a pretty place. The sun shines there. Japan has many old stories. These stories are like magic. They are very special. I love these old stories. They are from a long time ago.
These stories are fun. They are like your best-loved tales. I gathered them for you. I changed them a little. Now they are easy to read. This book is for children. It is for you. You will like them. They are new and fun.
This book is very special. It is the first one. It has only Japan's stories. It is just for kids. No other book is like this. I made it for you. It is a new kind of book.
I found these stories in Japan. I read Japan's books. I talked to people from Japan. They told me the stories. These are not grown-up stories. They are for you. I wrote them down. They are real tales from Japan.
I chose the best stories. I made them just right. Some parts changed a little. Some parts I took out. Now they are easy to read. You will get them well. You will enjoy them. This book is for you. It is perfect for you. I want you to love it.
This book has fun facts. You can learn about Japan. You can learn new things. It is very fun. I put them in for you. You will like to know. These facts are cool.
Many friends helped me. They helped with the stories. Some friends drew pictures. The pictures are bright. They are very pretty. I thank them all. You will love the pictures. They make the book bright.
This book is a gift. It comes from far away. I hope you like it. I hope you read it. It is for you, my friend. I wish you happy reading. I send it with love. This gift is from my heart.
I hope you love this book. It is a gift for you. Happy reading!
Original Story
Zur Einführung.
Nicht mit Unrecht wird Japan als das „wunderbare Sonnenland“ bezeichnet; denn neben seinen wirklich wunderbaren Naturreizen bieten Kunst und Literatur, ganz besonders die des Altertums, eine schier unerschöpfliche Fundgrube nicht nur für den wissenschaftlichen Forscher sondern auch für den Schöngeist und für den Freund eines reinen Volkstums. Gar reich, und nicht hinter der deutschen zurückstehend, ist die japanische Märchenwelt, aus der ich hier eine Auswahl zusammengestellt und für die deutsche Jugend bearbeitet habe.
Es ist dies meines Wissens das erste Werk, das aus dem reichen Märchenschatze Japans der deutschen Jugend eine sorgfältig zusammengestellte Auswahl bietet; mag auch das eine oder andere hier und dort einmal irgendwo veröffentlicht und dadurch bekannt sein, so ist dies doch meistens zerstreut in Zeitungen, Zeitschriften oder wissenschaftlichen Werken in wörtlicher Übersetzung erfolgt und nur für Erwachsene geeignet.
Keine jener Veröffentlichungen ist von mir benutzt worden oder hat mir als Vorlage gedient, sondern lediglich die japanischen Ausgaben und mündliche Erzählungen der Japaner; deshalb enthält das Vorliegende auch viele Fabeln und dergl., die nur im Munde des Volkes leben, von denen sich also in der Literatur selbst keine Spuren finden.
Da dieses Buch der deutschen Jugend gewidmet ist, mußten bei der Auswahl und Bearbeitung größte Sorgfalt aufgewendet und manche Stellen verändert, fortgelassen oder durch andere ersetzt werden, um das ganze dem Verständnis der Jugend anzupassen, dies umsomehr, als die Originale oft eine derart freie Sprache führen, daß man sie, unserem deutschen Moralempfinden entsprechend, nicht jedermann in die Hand geben kann.
Durch Beifügung erläuternder Anmerkungen, historischer Daten usw. dürfte dieses Buch einen über den Rahmen einfacher Märchenlektüre hinausgehenden Wert gewinnen.
Besonderer Dank sei an dieser Stelle den Herren Dr. Miyauchi, Ohno, Nakamura, Hajime Iwane und K. Nakamatsu für ihre liebenswürdige Beihilfe zu diesem Werke; auch dem Herrn T. Tokikuni, der die farbigen Bilder zeichnete, während die übrigen älteren und neueren japanischen Werken entnommen sind.
Möge daher diese Gabe, die ich der Jugend in meiner deutschen Heimat von hier aus dem fernen Osten, aus dem Lande der aufgehenden Sonne biete, gern angenommen werden und Beifall finden.
Tokyo.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
The author introduces Japan as a land of wonders, particularly its rich fairy tale tradition, which he believes rivals Germany's. He presents his collection as the first dedicated selection of Japanese tales for German youth, meticulously adapted from original Japanese sources and oral traditions to suit their understanding and moral sensibilities. He thanks his collaborators and offers this book as a cultural gift from the Far East, hoping it will be well-received.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to fulfillment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This text serves as an introduction to a collection of Japanese fairy tales, likely published in Germany during a period of growing interest in East Asian cultures, but before widespread direct translations were common. The emphasis on adapting for 'German moral feeling' reflects the cultural norms and sensitivities of the time.
Plot Beats (8)
- The author introduces Japan as the 'wonderful land of the sun' with rich natural beauty, art, and literature, particularly its ancient fairy tales.
- He asserts that Japanese fairy tales are as rich as German ones and announces his compilation and adaptation for German youth.
- The author highlights that this is, to his knowledge, the first dedicated selection of Japanese fairy tales for German youth.
- He clarifies that his work is based solely on Japanese editions and oral traditions, not on previously scattered, literal translations for adults.
- He explains the necessity of careful selection and adaptation, including changes, omissions, or replacements, to make the content suitable for young German readers and their moral understanding.
- The author notes that explanatory annotations and historical data are included to add further value to the book.
- He extends special thanks to Dr. Miyauchi, Ohno, Nakamura, Hajime Iwane, K. Nakamatsu for their assistance, and T. Tokikuni for the colored illustrations.
- The author concludes by expressing his hope that this gift from the Far East will be warmly accepted by the youth in his German homeland.
Locations
Tokyo (Implied)
The bustling capital city of Japan, a blend of traditional and modern elements, serving as the author's current location while compiling the fairy tales.
Mood: Distant, yet connected to the author's work, a place of cultural exchange.
The author's geographical point of origin for compiling and dedicating the collection of Japanese fairy tales to German youth.
The Land of the Rising Sun (Japan)
A land rich in 'wonderful natural charms,' implying diverse landscapes from mountains to coastlines, vibrant flora, and a strong cultural heritage.
Mood: Wondrous, ancient, full of natural beauty and cultural depth, a source of endless stories.
The overarching setting from which the fairy tales originate, described as a source of inexhaustible treasures for researchers and enthusiasts.