Tales of Old Japan (1871) is an
anthology of short stories compiled by
Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, Lord Redesdale, writing under the better known name of
A.B. Mitford. These stories focus on various aspects of
Japanese life before the
Meiji Restoration. The book, which was written in 1871, forms an introduction to
Japanese literature and
culture, both through the stories, all adapted from Japanese sources, and Mitford's supplementary notes. Also included are Mitford's eyewitness accounts of a selection of Japanese rituals, ranging from
harakiri (
seppuku) and marriage to a selection of sermons.