This is a translation of Andersen's stories, which included the name
Andersen in the title for the first time, which means the publisher wanted
to spread Andersen's stories with his name. As Yatsu Yagi, this book has
an important place in the history of Japanese children's literature as
an early example of translation.
This book consists of twenty popular stories like "Minikui Ahiru no Ko" ["The Ugly Duckling"], "Kôtei no Atarashii Kimono" ["Emperor's New Clothes"], "Matchi Uri no Shôjo" ["The Little Match Girl"], "Mame no Ue ni Neta Ohimesama" ["The Princess and the Pea"], "Namari no Heitai" ["The Steadfast Tin Soldier"], and so on. With this book, one can gain a general view of Andersen's works.
Moroboshi, the translator, said that Andersen's stories are sentimental,
describing life in a symbolic way, using toys, plants, flowers, and so
on. He also said that the sentiment and morals in his stories are of educational
value as well as of literary value. Other translators of Andersen's work
at that period shared Moroboshi's view. In 1910 and 1911, several translations
of Andersen's stories were published, which reflects the popularity of
his stories. |
