Momotarō facts for kids
Momotarō is a popular hero from Japanese folklore. His name literally means Peach Tarō. Because Tarō is a common Japanese boy's name, it is usually translated as Peach Boy. Momotarō is also the name of several books, films, and other works that tell the tale of this hero.
The most common version of this tale (from the Edo Period), tells Momotarō came to earth inside a giant peach. The peach was found floating down a river by an old woman without children who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband found 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 called him Momotarō, from momo (peach) and tarō (oldest son in the family).
Years later, Momotarō left his parents for an island called Onigashima to destroy the evil oni (demons or ogres) that lived there. On his way, Momotarō met and became friends with a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his mission. At the island, Momotarō and his animal friends entered the demons' fort and beat the demons' leader, Ura, and his army. Momotarō returned home with his new friends, and his family lived happily from then on.
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Mythic Texts and Folktales: |
Images for kids
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Momotarō coming out of a peach
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Momotaro swinging the magic mallet (uchide no kozuchi), with his animal companions.―Santō-an Kyōden (Santō Kyōden). Ehon takara no nanakusa (1804) -
English Momotaro published by Hasegawa Takejirō's Kōbunsha (1885, 1st edition)
See also
In Spanish: Momotarō para niños
