Hasegawa, T. (editor):
The Tongue Cut Sparrow, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 2.
One of the Hasegawa Japanese Fairy Tale Series, 32mo (3 3/4 x 6 in - 9 x 15 cm), T. Hasegawa, editor, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Tokio, undated but issued between 1890 and 1901, 22 pages on 11 unsevered leaves. A crepe paper book with silk thread tied binding, with double leaves folded Japanese style. Illustrated with color wood block prints in bright colors. A classic tale of good and evil. A "cross old" woman cuts the tongue of her neighbor's sparrow tongue in retribution for bird eating her "starch." The sparrow get's his revenge. He flies away and when his owners find him, he offers them a heavy basket and a light basket. They choose the light basket which turns out to have an unlimited supply of riches. The cross old lady hears of the good fortune bestowed by the "cut tongue sparrow" and goes to see the sparrow. The obliging sparrow offers her a light or a heavy basket, just as he did his owners. The greedy old lady chooses the heavy basket. When she gets it home and opens it, she releases demons who promptly "tore the old woman to pieces."

This is one in a series of 20 such books (most not this dark). They are not dated. The approximate date is determined by the address listed by Hasegawa (see chart at bottom of the page). The books are classic Japanese fairy tales. While no credit is give the translator, it is know that several individuals translated for the series (Basil Hall Chamberlin, H.T. James, J.C. Hepburn and David Thomson).

 
Chronological Listing of Hasegawa Addresses: