The collection is telegraphed as a book about the western view of the "exotic" japan, but most of the stories doesn't explicitly acknowledge this in any special way. Several is in the faux-folktale-vein, some are simply set in japan, and some are using Japanese themes in other ways. Thankfully, it still works. What we´re left with is a surprisingly decent collection of stories based in Japanese mythology and folklore. No more, no less. Nothing terribly elaborate, but a fine read. Just don't expect much of that interconnectedness between the myths and self-image of a nation that the introduction speaks about (although the introduction by Catherynne Valente is, as always, excellent). ( )