Kintarō facts for kids
Kintarō, also known as the "Golden Boy," is a famous folk hero from Japanese folklore. He is known for his amazing strength, even as a child. Kintarō was raised by a yama-uba, which means "mountain witch," on Mount Ashigara. He became good friends with all the animals living on the mountain.
Later, Kintarō became a loyal follower of a powerful samurai named Minamoto no Yorimitsu. He even helped catch a scary monster called Shuten-dōji. After this, Kintarō was given a new name: Sakata no Kintoki.
Kintarō is a very popular character in traditional Japanese plays like Bunraku and kabuki. It's a tradition to display Kintarō dolls on Boy's Day (May 5th). This is done in the hope that young boys will grow up to be as brave and strong as Kintarō.
Many people believe that Kintarō was based on a real person named Sakata Kintoki. He lived a long time ago during the Heian period (794 to 1185 AD). This real Sakata Kintoki was a skilled warrior who served Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Over time, stories about his bravery grew into the legend of Kintarō.
Kintarō in Modern Japan
Kintarō is still a very popular figure in Japan today. You can see his image on many things, from statues to storybooks. He also appears in anime, manga, and even as action figures. For example, there's a manga and anime series called Golden Boy with a main character who shares Kintarō's name.
Kintarō is often shown holding a large axe called an ono. He also wears a special apron called a haragake. Sometimes, he is pictured with a tame bear as his friend. Many pictures of Kintarō show him wrestling with a giant black koi (carp). This image highlights his incredible strength and bravery.
There's even a special kind of candy called Kintarō candy, which has been around since the Edo period (1603 to 1868 AD). No matter how you slice this cylinder-shaped candy, Kintarō's face always appears inside each piece!
On Children's Day (May 5th), Japanese families often decorate a newborn baby boy's room with Kintarō dolls. This tradition is meant to wish for the child to grow up strong and brave, just like the legendary Golden Boy.
You can find a shrine dedicated to Kintarō at the base of Mount Ashigara, near Tokyo. Close by, there's a huge rock that people say Kintarō himself chopped in half with his axe!
Images for kids
-
A young Kintarō battling a giant catfish, in a print by Yoshitoshi.
See also
In Spanish: Kintarō para niños
