Momotaro : The Peach Boy

Momotaro

Introduction

Momotaro is a popular hero in Japanese folklore. He is often translated as “Peach Boy”. He is also the main character in many modern TV shows, cartoons, anime and comics. There has been a popular notion that he is a local hero in Okayama Prefecture, but this is not accepted by scholarly circles.

Physical Traits

Momotaro is never depicted as being older than his late 20s. The physical attributes vary from being fat and lazy to being tall, well built and handsome. The age of Momotaro has considerably gone down as the years went by and is sometimes even described as not being older than 10 years old.

Family

Not much is known about Momotaro’s parents but it is believed that he was born when an elderly couple cut open a giant peach that  they came across. When they cut it open, they found Momotaro instead of the seed and then decided to raise him as their own. He was named after the fruit in which they found him.

Another version of the story also states that he was not born out of a peach. He was actually born to an elderly couple who regained their youth after they ate a magical peach which helped gave them back their youth. They named him Momotaro after the fruit.

Another not so common version of the family story is that Momotaro was found floating down a river in a box which was found by the elderly couple. When they opened it, they found a baby inside holding a peach. This version is one of the modern retellings and many scholars refuse to accept it despite being in line with similar stories from other mythologies around the world.

Powers and Abilities

There are varying stories about the powers and abilities of Momotaro. Most stories depict him growing into a fine young man who was very warm and loving to his elderly parents.

Other versions describe him as a strong and intelligent young man who was very lazy who spent most of his time sleeping. He had to be forced by his parents or the villagers to do work or to protect them from any enemies. Nowadays, Momotaro is one of the most famous characters in Japan, as an ideal model for young kids for his kind-heartedness, bravery, power, and care for his parents.

He usually goes into battle with his enemies accompanied by his trusted companions a pheasant, a monkey and a dog. His weapon of choice is the magical mallet Uchide no Kozuchi.

Modern Day Influence

Momotaro has found his place in modern society in the name of a popular brand of jeans and also as a  character in popular children’s cartoons and comics.

Source

Kawai, A. (2019). Momotaro: The Peach Boy and His Symbolism. Japan Today. Retrieved from https://www.japantoday.com

Tuttle Publishing. (n.d.). Momotaro: The Peach Boy – Japanese Folklore. Retrieved from https://www.tuttlepublishing.com

Kinsella, S. (1995). The Symbolism of Heroes in Japanese Folk Tales: A Study of Momotaro. Asian Folklore Studies, 54(2), 101–114.

Nakagawa, M. (1999). The Emergence of Momotaro in Edo-Period Culture. Japanese Studies Quarterly, 25(3), 44–56.

Zha, X. (2012). Heroic Motifs and Symbolism in Japanese Folk Tales: The Case of Momotaro. Asian Cultural Studies Review, 18(1), 129–144.

Tezuka, M. (2011). Japanese Folklore and Mythology: An Introduction. Tuttle Publishing.

Davis, J. (2006). Folk Tales of Japan. Tuttle Publishing.