Some gifts arrive on wings, literally.
This week, we’re opening The Crane Maiden, written by Miyoko Matsutani, illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki, and adapted into English by Alvin Tresselt. Published in New York by Parents' Magazine Press in 1968, the story draws from the traditional Japanese folktale Tsuru no ongaeshi, a tale of gratitude, transformation, and the fragile nature of trust.
It begins simply: a kind man spares the life of a crane. Soon after, a mysterious young woman appears and, in time, becomes a daughter to the aging couple, bringing warmth, comfort, and unexpected prosperity into their quiet home. But her gifts come with one request, one boundary that must not be crossed. And, as fairy tales so often remind us, it is curiosity that proves the most difficult thing to resist.
Miyoko Matsutani (1926-2015) was a prominent Japanese writer known for her engagement with folklore and storytelling. She worked closely with traditional storytellers and drew inspiration from regional oral traditions, helping preserve and reinterpret Japanese folk tales for modern audiences. Her writing often blends the everyday with the quietly magical, allowing emotional nuance to carry as much weight as the supernatural elements themselves.
Chihiro Iwasaki (1918-1974) was a beloved Japanese illustrator, recognized for her delicate watercolor technique and her sensitive portrayals of children. Working in the postwar period, she developed a style that feels both intimate and ephemeral, with soft lines, gentle washes of color, and figures that seem to exist just on the edge of memory. In stories like The Crane Maiden, her illustrations capture a dreamlike fragility, figures appearing almost weightless on the page, perfectly reflecting a narrative in which beauty and loss are closely intertwined.
In honor of Women’s History Month, it feels fitting to highlight the remarkable women behind this book. Together, Matsutani and Iwasaki crafted a tale that is both a celebration of human kindness and a cautionary tale about curiosity and respect. Their artistry reminds us that women’s voices, whether in storytelling or illustration, have long shaped the stories we treasure and continue to guide us through wonder, wisdom, and a touch of mischief.
Our copy is a gift of Carolyn Keith.
--Melissa (who suspects every fairy tale carries a little winged wisdom), Distinctive Collections Library Assistant
-View previous Fairytale Friday posts
--View more from out Historical Curriculum Collection
