Griffis, William Elliot. "Peach-Prince and the Treasure Island." Japanese Fairy World: Stories from the Wonder-lore of Japan, illustrated by Ozawa Nankoku, Schenectady, NY: James H. Barhyte, 1880, pp. 62-71.
Tale Summary
A childless, elderly couple living in the mountains is blessed with a miraculous child. He appears in the form of a peach floating in a stream where the old woman goes to bathe, and turns into a boy just as she brings it home to her husband to cut and share. The child, Momotarō, is incredibly strong, as well as kind and brave. Meanwhile, on an island off the coast of Japan, there live many onis and the giant Oni. The giant Oni lives in a castle with many wonders, including a magic hat and coat that make the user invisible, jewels that shine like fire, and shippō, seven precious treasures. Momotarō decides to go pursue these treasures with his dog and defeat the oni, asking the old woman to prepare him millet for the journey. On his way, he meets and feeds a millet dumpling to a monkey and a pheasant, who join him. Together the four of them defeat the Oni and collect their treasures. They return home and the animals are knighted, while Momotarō marries a princess and lives happily for the rest of his days.
Fairy Tale Title
Peach-Prince and the Treasure Island
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
William Elliot Griffis
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)
Ozawa Nankoku
Henry W. Troy [engraver]
Common Tale Type
Momotarō (Peach Boy)
Tale Classification
Types of Japanese Folktales 159
Page Range of Tale
pp. 62-71
Full Citation of Tale
Griffis, William Elliot. "Peach-Prince and the Treasure Island." Japanese Fairy World: Stories from the Wonder-lore of Japan, illustrated by Ozawa Nankoku, Schenectady, NY: James H. Barhyte, 1880, pp. 62-71.
Original Source of the Tale
Japan
Tale Notes
Momotarō tales are one of the most popular tales in Japan and continue to be a popular tale told to children. These tales may also convey a sense of nationalism, and have been altered for use in textbooks, posters, songs, cartoons, and movies as propaganda during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II.
Research and Curation
Aisha O., 2021
Book Title
Japanese Fairy World: Stories from the Wonder-lore of Japan
Book Author/Editor(s)
William Elliot Griffis
Illustrator(s)
Ozawa Nankoku
Henry W. Troy [engraver]
Unnamed Student
Publisher
James H. Barhyte
Date Published
1880
Decade Published
1880-1889
Publisher City
Schenectady
Publisher Country
United States
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Available at the Internet Archive
Book Notes
Typically, Momotarō is born from a fruit. However, in some literature starting from the Edo period, the old woman gives birth to Momotarō after the couple eat a peach and became youthful again.
Momotarō may be fed other foods, such as tō dango (literally meaning "ten-count dumplings") instead of kibi dango (millet dumplings).
Momotarō may be found as a peach inside a red or black box floating down the river. He may also have a lazy personality initially but grow into a hardworking and respectable hero. He may be forced to go slaughter the Oni by the townspeople instead of seeking to do so of his own volition. He may have different allies, such as a bee, chestnut, or otherwise.