The crane wife (Passports)

by Sumiko Yagawa and Retold by Sumiko Yagawa

Book Overview

After Yohei tends a wounded crane, a beautiful young woman begs to become his wife and three times weaves for him an exquisite silken fabric on her loom. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0153022205
• ISBN13: 9780153022203
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Harcourt Brace
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Japanese fairy tale: familiar but new

A poor man finds a wounded crane, pierced by an arrow. He heals its wound, then releases this symbol of loyalty, fidelity, and longevity back to the skies. Then, from nowhere, a beautiful woman appears at his door and begs to be his wife. Although the story gets off to a non-Western start, it follows a familiar course. She brings him happiness and wealth, but has a secret. The poor man can't resist uncovering her secret and, in learning it, loses everything. The watercolor illustrations never drew me in, but I liked the story anyway. Maybe a read-to-me kid in your house will like it too. -- wiredweird

Delightful story

My daugher (8) loves this tale, even though it does not have a happy ending.