Tales From Japan

Tales From Japan

Short Stories

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Tales from Japan

These three tales were carefully picked from a collection by Nankichi Niimi as part of a project to translate Japanese folktales into Arabic. This collection is considered one of the most famous children's stories taught in Japanese schools.

The author is distinguished by a style that is far from preaching or instructive. In addition to providing the element of enjoyment and suspense, he attempts to convey his messages to children indirectly, allowing them to use their imagination to deduce lessons and learn from them.

Through narration in the voices of animals, the author attempts to establish a relationship of trust between children and animals. For example, the fox, whose hobby is mischief and harming others, who also appears compassionate and remorseful for his actions, tries to correct his mistakes with humans. He is scared to approach the gloves seller in the city, but the seller's kindness leaves him wondering: Are humans really kind?

Nankichi Niimi was born in Aichi, Japan, in 1913 (the Shawa era). He graduated from the department of English in Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

He had a passion for literature since childhood and wrote novels, poetry, and children's literature.

His writings reflect the splendor of folklore, which remains popular among all generations in Japan. He died in 1943.

Translator Khaldoun Hussein was born in Hama, Syria, in 1983. He graduated from the department of Japanese Language at the University of Damascus and earned a Master's degree in Japanese Language Studies from Hiroshima University.

He currently teaches Arabic at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, in addition to his work in translation.

Tamami Yoshioka, Sahar Nakayama, and Shindō Hanai are students at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Department of Arabic Studies.