Now Viewing: momotarouTag type: Copyright Momotarō (桃太郎) is a popular hero from Japanese folklore. His name literally means Peach Tarō; as Tarō is a common Japanese boy's name, it is often translated as Peach Boy. Momotarō is also the title of various books, films, and other works that portray the tale of this hero. According to the present form of the tale (dating to the Edo period), Momotarō came to Earth inside a giant peach, which was found floating down a river by an old, childless woman who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband discovered the child when they tried to open the peach to eat it. The child explained that he had been sent by Heaven to be their son. The couple named him Momotarō, from momo (peach) and tarō (eldest son in the family). Years later, Momotarō left his parents to fight a band of marauding oni (demons or ogres) on a distant island. En route, Momotarō met and befriended a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his quest. At the island, Momotarō and his animal friends penetrated the oni's fort and beat the band of oni into surrendering. Momotarō and his new friends returned home with the oni's plundered treasure and the oni chief as a captive. Momotarō and his family lived comfortably from then on. Momotarō is strongly associated with Okayama, and his tale may have its origins there. The oni island (Onigashima (鬼ヶ島)) of the story is sometimes associated with Megijima Island, an island in the Seto Inland Sea near Takamatsu, due to the vast man-made caves found on that island. The story is told from the point of view of Risky and Safety in Omishi_Magical_Theater_Risky_Safety. In Pani_poni_Dash Shiratori_Suzune uses puppets to tell how Momotarou was born from Little_Red_Riding_Hood's grandmother after she was eaten by the big bad wolf. In The_Legend_of_Zelda A_Link_to_the_Past you must give an item to a talking monkey before it will open the gate to a dungeon, similar to how Momotarou entered the oni fortress. In Touhou - Immaterial_and_Missing_Power the final boss Ibuki Suika's theme song is titled "Onigashima in the Fairyland", a reference to the oni island in the story. Other Wiki Information Last updated: 04/12/11 4:53 PM by jedi1357 This entry is not locked and you can edit it as you see fit. |
     
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