Part A: I really enjoyed reading these fairy tales. They were entertaining and fun to read. Like many fairy tales I've read, many "good" characters are rewarded for their loyalty, kindness and generosity. While "evil" characters are usually punished, which leads to the morals and overall general themes of good, bad and justice. For example, in The Envious Neighbour, the owners of the magical dog are rewarded for their actions, while the jealous neighbor ends up dying because of his evil habits. Additionally, The Sparrow With The Split Tongue features an evil, greedy wife that is mean to her husband eventually pays for her greediness with her life. Along with the themes of good and evil, there were many magical and animated characters. Many of the animals weren't really animals, but what I thought was interesting after reading other culture fairy tales, was that none of the fairy tales referenced God or a higher being for their magical properties. Many of the ones I've read previously, site a spirit or being related to a God. There characters are simply magical because they have that power. It definitely shows some differences in the cultures and their views.
Part B: I noticed many of the stories featured evil characters that were Tanukis. I wasn't sure what kind of animal this was, I had to look it up. It's a Japanese raccoon dog, which is about as weird as it sounds. Apparently, the Tanuki is supposed to be mischievous and a master of disguise. This is revealed in all of the stories in the second part of the Japanese Fairy Tales. In How The Wicked Tanuki Was Punished and The Slaying Of The Tanuki, the Tanuki tricks many of the characters. It was pretty graphic one of the stories (leading a husband to accidentally eat his own wife!), and each time the Tanuki died or was punished because of his actions.
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