Uji shūi monogatari

Japanese literary work

Also known as: “A Collection of Tales from Uji”

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July 14, 2026

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The Uji shūi monogatari is a Japanese collection of approximately 197 brief stories compiled over several years during the Kamakura period (1192–1333). This work is considered a notable example of setsuwa monogatari, or didactic tales, which often originated from Buddhist legends but could also be humorous and earthy in their secular form. While the incidents in these tales may resemble those found in the Konjaku monogatari, the Uji shūi monogatari is distinguished by its greater literary skill in storytelling. This genre of monogatari (tales) developed from court women's storytelling during the Heian period (794–1185).12

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Japanese literature
Kamakura period (1192–1333)
…the most enjoyable is the Uji shūi monogatari (A Collection of Tales from Uji), a compilation made over a period of years of some 197 brief stories. Although the incidents described in these tales are often similar to those found in Konjaku monogatari, they are told with considerably greater literary…
Read More
…the most enjoyable is the Uji shūi monogatari (A Collection of Tales from Uji), a compilation made over a period of years of some 197 brief stories. Although the incidents described in these tales are often similar to those found in Konjaku monogatari, they are told with considerably greater literary…
Read More