Kibun Daizin; or, From Shark-Boy to Merchant Prince


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(4.8 stars; 2 reviews)

This is the story of a brave, skillful and ambitious boy who sets out to become the wealthiest man of Japan. He succeeds in doing just that because of his virtuous deeds. A real person, Kinokuniya Bunzaemon (1669 – 1734), was the inspiration for this fictionalized biography by Gensai Murai. An English translation of the tale originally appeared in the once popular St. Nicholas Magazine (1873 - 1940) for children that featured stories by eminent as well as promising young authors, some of whom (Edna St. Vincent Millay, F. Scott Fitzgerald, E. B. White, and Stephen Vincent Benét) were first published in it, receiving cash awards as St. Nicholas League prize winners. - Summary by Brian Fullen (2 hr 33 min)

Chapters

An Ambitious Boy 16:30 Read by Brian Fullen
Bunkichi Plans To Kill The Shark 16:55 Read by Brian Fullen
A Boat Capsized — A Hairbreadth Escape 16:09 Read by Brian Fullen
The Tables Turned 17:35 Read by Brian Fullen
The Battle Of Stone Missiles—The Monkeys’ Panic 11:56 Read by Brian Fullen
The Great Hazard — A Perilous Voyage 13:14 Read by Brian Fullen
The Sea-Giant Appears 13:15 Read by Brian Fullen
An Eccentric Fellow 18:09 Read by Brian Fullen
The Great Conflagration — The Charity “Bento” 15:01 Read by Seraphina
Ambition Satisfied — The Merchant Prince 14:27 Read by Brian Fullen