Gay Tales of the Samurai
by E. Powys Mathers, Henry M. Christman
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Book Summary Information
Author: E. Powys Mathers, Henry M. ChristmanTranslator: Ihara Saikaku
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1995-06
ISBN: 1886360006
Number of pages: 100
Publisher: Alamo Square Distributors
Book Reviews of Gay Tales of the Samurai
Book Review: Bumpy translation makes for a bumpy read.
Summary: 3 Stars
I've seen references in non-fiction books to some of these stories, so I *can* say they are indeed Japanese in origin. The publisher, however, should've gotten a better translator.
This book's first European translation and publication was in French. The collection was then entitled: "Comrade-Loves of the Samurai," a title I really think they should have kept.
Secondly, this English translation makes the same horrid error, over and over again. It uses 'hari-kiri' in place of 'seppuku'. This may have been done because the so-called general audience might not have been familiar with the formal term.
Still, if you're going to call something 'Gay Loves of the Samurai," it ought to be a bit more obvious that 1) the book is targeted for gay readers, or readers with an interest in the genre of GLBT fiction. 2)Someone who buys a book with "Samurai" in the title very likely already knows a thing or two.
Such as, 'hari-kiri' is a vulgar term, and 'seppuku'is the proper name for this act. It gets very frustrating to read otherwise beautiful stories, then trip over that term. It's jarring and disruptive to the flow of the stories.
This book isn't graphic erotica. The love expressed by the men in these stories, though suggestive--or plainly stated--is never graphic. In fact, it's pretty low key, with the focus being more on how a samurai balances these attractions and loves against his obligations to his lord.
There are some illustrations, which resemble woodblock prints, but I can't say with any certainty if they're reproductions of well-known prints. They take some adjusting to, as the style is very distinctive, and perhaps a bit odd viewed from a Westerner's point of few. Again, these prints are not graphic. (Purely my opinion, but I thought the cover art was the most attractive piece--though it's not a woodblock print.)
The stories are short, as are many other Japanese folktales. ('The Dragon King's Palace, etc.) If you're interested in Japanese literature, this small book might make a good addition to your collection.
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