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Poetry of ‘Takuan from Koto’

While the ‘Journey to the West’ is very poetic, ‘Takuan from Koto’ ventures into the poetic worlds only briefly. Most of the verses are following the waka and tanka (see below) traditions whenever it is possible with the translation. Tanka consist of five units (often treated as separate lines when

Robert Lynn Asprin and Another Fine Myth

Robert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, known best for his humorous series ‘MythAdventures’ and ‘Phule’s Company’. His books are noted for and popular for their whimsical nature, myriad characters, and liberal use of puns. The ‘Myth Adventures’ series is fast-moving story

Flambeau, Chesterton’s Trickster

Hercule Flambeau is a fictional character created by English novelist G. K. Chesterton, who appears in 48 short stories about the character Father Brown. A master criminal, his surname ‘Flambeau’ is an alias, the French word for a flaming torch. Flambeau himself lives to his alias by committing his crimes

Brer Rabbit, an Afro-American Trickster

Brer (Brother) Rabbit is a central figure in an oral tradition passed down by African-Americans of the Southern United States and African descendants in the Caribbean, notably Afro-Bahamians and Turks and Caicos Islanders. He is a trickster who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn, provoking authority figures and

Nasreddin Hodja, a Muslim Trickster

Nasreddin Hodja is a character in the folklore of the Muslim world from the Balkans to China, and a hero of humorous short stories and satirical anecdotes. He is portrayed as a wise fool, clever simpleton, or instructive prankster. The oldest manuscript of Nasreddin dates to 1571, which is coincidental

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