Title: Asian American folktales /
Authors: Green, Thomas A., 1944-
Publisher: Greenwood Press,
Year: 2009
Subjects: Asian Americans Folklore.; Tales United States; Tales Asia
Abstract: "Drawing upon the traditions of their native lands, Asian Americans have developed an extensive cultural tradition. At the heart of that tradition are some of the world's most colorful folktales. These reflect the traditional beliefs of the East, as they have been passed down among generations of Asian Americans. But they also reflect the struggles, successes, and experiences of Asian immigrants in the New World. Written expressly for students and general readers, this book is a fascinating introduction to Asian American folktales. This book gathers together a selection of more than 30 Asian American folktales and groups them in thematic sections on origins; heroes, heroines, villains, and fools; society and conflict; and the supernatural. These tales reflect the traditional beliefs of the East as well as the new experiences of Asians in America. Each tale is accompanied by a headnote, and the book closes with a selected, general bibliography. Students studying literature and language will learn much about these tales, while students in social studies and history courses will gain greater insight into the experiences and traditional beliefs of Asian Americans."--Publisher's description.
Contents: Origins. The Princess Kwan-yin ; The great gambling match ; The Monkey and the Turtle ; Why dogs wag their tails ; The casting of the great bell ; The geomancer -- Heroes, heroines, tricksters, and fools. Momotaro : the Peach Boy ; Monkey King : a record of a journey to the western paradise to procure the Buddhist scriptures for the Emperor of China ; The fish prince ; Benito, the faithful servant ; The story of four friends ; The grass-cutting sword ; Han Hsin ; The ogre of Rashomon ; Juan Pusong ; The farmer and the badger ; The Alligator and the Jackal ; Rabbit's eyes -- Society and conflict. How an old man lost his wen ; Datto Somacuel ; Maria and the seven princes ; The tongue-cut sparrow ; The quarrel of the monkey and the crab ; The story of the old man who made withered trees to flower ; The magic rice kettle ; The story of Chang To-Ryong -- The supernatural. An encounter with a hobgoblin ; Evil eye of Sani ; The fearless captain ; The anting-anting of Manuelito ; The story of Urashima Taro, the fisher lad ; The Juan who visited heaven.