Tales of Old Japan (1871) is a fascinating collection of Japanese legends, folklore, ghost stories, and samurai tales translated and retold by Algernon B. Freeman-Mitford, a British diplomat stationed in Japan during the Meiji era. The book offers a rare Western glimpse into the customs, values, and spirit of pre-modern Japan, including famous stories like the “Forty-Seven Ronin” and eerie ghost tales. Mitford’s detailed notes and respectful narration provide cultural context, making it both a literary and anthropological treasure that bridges East and West during a time of rapid change in Japan.