 First page of Torikaebaya Monogatari, in an Edo period book. | |
| Author | unknown |
|---|---|
| Original title | とりかへばや物語 |
| Language | Japanese |
| Genre | Monogatari[1] |
| Publisher | various |
Publication date | late Heian period |
| Publication place | Japan |
Torikaebaya Monogatari (とりかへばや物語, literally "If only I could exchange (them)! story"), translated into English as The Changelings, is a Japanese tale from the late Heian period (794 to 1185) by an unknown author, or possibly more than one author. It is four volumes in length.[2]
It is the tale of two siblings whose mannerisms are those of the opposite sex, and their relationships in the Emperor's court. It has been adapted as a novel, two different manga series, and a Takarazuka Revue play. It was translated into English in 1983. The reception of the tale over time has depended on how the society sees sex and gender issues, with one reading of it being as a ribald erotic comedy, while another reading is as a serious attempt to discuss sex and gender issues through a Heian Buddhist understanding.