The Raksha Country and the Sea Market (original) (raw)

"The Raksha Country and the Sea Market" (simplified Chinese: 罗刹海市; traditional Chinese: 羅剎海市; pinyin: Luōshā Hǎishì) is a short story by Pu Songling first published in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Told in two parts, the story follows the adventures of scholar-merchant Ma Ji, and is one of the first Strange Tales entries to be translated into English. Some critics have argued that "The Raksha Country" serves as social commentary on topics including hypocrisy, conventional standards of beauty, and nationalism. The story was likely inspired by both ancient Hindu mythology and early Chinese literature; it has been adapted for the stage.