Read Urashima Taro, the Japanese legend of a fisherman who saves a turtle, visits Ryugu-jo, and returns with the mysterious tamatebako.

Long ago, there lived a young fisherman named Urashima Taro. One day, while walking along the beach, Taro saw some…

Urashima Taro — page 1

Taro gave the children the fish he had caught that day. Then he carried the little turtle to the water and said,…

Urashima Taro — page 2

A few days later, Taro was fishing from his boat when he heard a voice calling, "Taro, Taro." Looking around, he saw…

Urashima Taro — page 3

Surprised, Taro replied, "You’ll take me to a palace? Then let’s go, but I can’t stay away for long." He climbed…

Urashima Taro — page 4

There was a red gate surrounded by fish, and a princess stood before it. "Lord Taro, welcome. Thank you for saving…

Urashima Taro — page 5

In this way, Taro forgot the passage of time. He enjoyed himself greatly in the palace of the Dragon King. But one…

Urashima Taro — page 6

Taro went to the princess and said, "Seven days have passed since I came to the palace, so I must return home. Thank…

Urashima Taro — page 7

When Taro reached the beach and looked around, something felt strange. It seemed to be his village, yet the roads…

Urashima Taro — page 8

"I spent only seven days in the palace of the Dragon King, but here a hundred years have passed." Taro was sad and…

Urashima Taro — page 9

urashima taro myth japanese legend read urashima taro, the japanese legend of a fisherman who saves a turtle, visits ryugu-jo, and returns with the mysterious tamatebako. urashima taro — page 1 long ago, there lived a young fisherman named urashima taro. one day, while walking along the… urashima taro — page 2 taro gave the children the fish he had caught that day. then he carried the little turtle to… urashima taro — page 3 a few days later, taro was fishing from his boat when he heard a voice calling, "taro, taro."… urashima taro — page 4 surprised, taro replied, "you’ll take me to a palace? then let’s go, but i can’t stay away for… urashima taro — page 5 there was a red gate surrounded by fish, and a princess stood before it. "lord taro, welcome.… urashima taro — page 6 in this way, taro forgot the passage of time. he enjoyed himself greatly in the palace of the… urashima taro — page 7 taro went to the princess and said, "seven days have passed since i came to the palace, so i… urashima taro — page 8 when taro reached the beach and looked around, something felt strange. it seemed to be his… urashima taro — page 9 "i spent only seven days in the palace of the dragon king, but here a hundred years have…

Urashima Taro

The Japanese folktale of Momotaro, the Peach Boy who travels with a dog, a pheasant, and a monkey toward Oni Island.

Long, long ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman. One day, when the old woman went to the…

Momotaro — page 1

The old woman took the peach home and tried to open it. Then, from inside it, a strong and lively boy was born. The…

Momotaro — page 2

Momotaro grew quickly and became big and strong. One day, he said to the old man and the old woman: "Grandfather,…

Momotaro — page 3

As Momotaro walked toward Oni Island, where the oni lived, a dog appeared. "Momotaro, Momotaro, please give me one…

Momotaro — page 4

In this way, Momotaro made the dog his companion. After walking for a while, he met a pheasant. "Momotaro, Momotaro,…

Momotaro — page 5

Once again, after walking for some time, a monkey appeared. "Momotaro, Momotaro, please give me one of the kibi…

Momotaro — page 6

And so, accompanied by the dog, the pheasant, and the monkey, Momotaro crossed the sea toward Oni Island.

Momotaro — page 7

When Momotaro and his companions arrived on Oni Island, red, blue, and green oni appeared. "What is this? Who are…

Momotaro — page 8

The pheasant pecked at the oni, the monkey scratched their faces, and the dog bit their legs. Momotaro swung his…

Momotaro — page 9

"Forgive us, forgive us! We will never do wicked things again. Please spare us!" The oni surrendered to Momotaro and…

Momotaro — page 10

So Momotaro took many treasures and returned home, where the old man and the old woman were waiting for him. And…

Momotaro — page 11

momotaro folktale japanese tale the japanese folktale of momotaro, the peach boy who travels with a dog, a pheasant, and a monkey toward oni island. momotaro — page 1 long, long ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman. one day, when the… momotaro — page 2 the old woman took the peach home and tried to open it. then, from inside it, a strong and… momotaro — page 3 momotaro grew quickly and became big and strong. one day, he said to the old man and the old… momotaro — page 4 as momotaro walked toward oni island, where the oni lived, a dog appeared. "momotaro,… momotaro — page 5 in this way, momotaro made the dog his companion. after walking for a while, he met a… momotaro — page 6 once again, after walking for some time, a monkey appeared. "momotaro, momotaro, please give… momotaro — page 7 and so, accompanied by the dog, the pheasant, and the monkey, momotaro crossed the sea toward… momotaro — page 8 when momotaro and his companions arrived on oni island, red, blue, and green oni appeared.… momotaro — page 9 the pheasant pecked at the oni, the monkey scratched their faces, and the dog bit their legs.… momotaro — page 10 "forgive us, forgive us! we will never do wicked things again. please spare us!" the oni… momotaro — page 11 so momotaro took many treasures and returned home, where the old man and the old woman were…

Momotaro

The Japanese tale of Kaguya-hime, the Moon Princess found inside bamboo and raised between affection, mystery, and fate.

Long, long ago, in a certain place, there lived a kind old man and a kind old woman. One day, the old man went to…

Princess Kaguya — page 1

When the old man cut the bamboo, he found a tiny girl inside. "Oh, what a small and lovely child. Come here, come…

Princess Kaguya — page 2

Princess Kaguya grew quickly and became a beautiful princess.

Princess Kaguya — page 3

Princess Kaguya became famous for her beauty, and many men began bringing gifts, saying they wished to marry her.…

Princess Kaguya — page 4

However, Princess Kaguya did not want to become anyone’s wife. She gave the men difficult tasks, one after another,…

Princess Kaguya — page 5

Little by little, Princess Kaguya began to lose her joy. At night, she always cried while gazing at the Moon.

Princess Kaguya — page 6

Worried, the old man and the old woman asked Princess Kaguya, "Princess Kaguya, why do you cry when you look at the…

Princess Kaguya — page 7

Surprised, the old man and the old woman told the emperor Princess Kaguya’s story. When the day came for the people…

Princess Kaguya — page 8

"Grandfather, Grandmother, thank you so much for caring for me all this time. Now I must return to the Moon. Please…

Princess Kaguya — page 9

princess kaguya folktale japanese tale the japanese tale of kaguya-hime, the moon princess found inside bamboo and raised between affection, mystery, and fate. princess kaguya — page 1 long, long ago, in a certain place, there lived a kind old man and a kind old woman. one day,… princess kaguya — page 2 when the old man cut the bamboo, he found a tiny girl inside. "oh, what a small and lovely… princess kaguya — page 3 princess kaguya grew quickly and became a beautiful princess. princess kaguya — page 4 princess kaguya became famous for her beauty, and many men began bringing gifts, saying they… princess kaguya — page 5 however, princess kaguya did not want to become anyone’s wife. she gave the men difficult… princess kaguya — page 6 little by little, princess kaguya began to lose her joy. at night, she always cried while… princess kaguya — page 7 worried, the old man and the old woman asked princess kaguya, "princess kaguya, why do you cry… princess kaguya — page 8 surprised, the old man and the old woman told the emperor princess kaguya’s story. when the… princess kaguya — page 9 "grandfather, grandmother, thank you so much for caring for me all this time. now i must…

Princess Kaguya

The Japanese tale of Kintaro, the strong boy of Mount Ashigara who grows up among animals and sets out toward the samurai path.

Long, long ago, deep in Mount Ashigara, there lived a boy named Kintaro. Since he lived in the mountains, his…

Kintaro — page 1

"When I grow up, I will go to the capital and become a great samurai." With that dream in his heart, Kintaro trained…

Kintaro — page 2

"To become a samurai, strength alone is not enough. You must also study with dedication." That was what his mother…

Kintaro — page 3

And so, when he grew older, Kintaro left the mountains and set out for the capital.

Kintaro — page 4

At that time, the capital was in great turmoil. People said that an oni was appearing in the city and carrying…

Kintaro — page 5

When Kintaro heard the story, he declared, "I will defeat that oni." But the people of the capital laughed at him.…

Kintaro — page 6

One day, while Kintaro was walking along a mountain road, a carriage carrying a princess passed by. Suddenly, an oni…

Kintaro — page 7

"Stop, wicked oni! I will fight you." Without fear, Kintaro faced the oni.

Kintaro — page 8

Then Kintaro lifted the oni with all his strength and hurled him far away. "Forgive me, forgive me! I will never do…

Kintaro — page 9

And so Kintaro saved the princess. Later, he married her and became a great samurai.

Kintaro — page 10

kintaro folktale japanese tale the japanese tale of kintaro, the strong boy of mount ashigara who grows up among animals and sets out toward the samurai path. kintaro — page 1 long, long ago, deep in mount ashigara, there lived a boy named kintaro. since he lived in the… kintaro — page 2 "when i grow up, i will go to the capital and become a great samurai." with that dream in his… kintaro — page 3 "to become a samurai, strength alone is not enough. you must also study with dedication." that… kintaro — page 4 and so, when he grew older, kintaro left the mountains and set out for the capital. kintaro — page 5 at that time, the capital was in great turmoil. people said that an oni was appearing in the… kintaro — page 6 when kintaro heard the story, he declared, "i will defeat that oni." but the people of the… kintaro — page 7 one day, while kintaro was walking along a mountain road, a carriage carrying a princess… kintaro — page 8 "stop, wicked oni! i will fight you." without fear, kintaro faced the oni. kintaro — page 9 then kintaro lifted the oni with all his strength and hurled him far away. "forgive me,… kintaro — page 10 and so kintaro saved the princess. later, he married her and became a great samurai.

Kintaro

The Japanese tale Daiku to Oniroku, where carpenter Hikone must build a bridge for his village and uncover the river oni’s name.

Long ago, there was a village through which a powerful river flowed, roaring as it ran. For the people of the…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 1

The villagers tried many times to build a bridge, but every bridge was swept away by the river.

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 2

So they went to Hikone, the finest carpenter in the village. "Master Hikone, could you somehow build a bridge over…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 3

Hikone went to the riverbank to think. "What a terrible current. Building a bridge here will not be easy. Still, if…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 4

As Hikone was thinking of a way to build the bridge, something suddenly rose from the water. "Ah! A demon!" he…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 5

"Hey, don’t run! What were you muttering while you stared at the river?" Still frightened, Hikone answered, "I was…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 6

"But without a bridge, the people of the village will suffer. Could you not help us somehow?" Hikone pleaded. "I can…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 7

"No, that would be terrible. I would not be able to see." The demon then said, "Guess my name. If you are right, you…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 8

Hikone returned home and thought. "What could the demon’s name be? Oniyoshi? Onijo? Onihei? I have no idea." He…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 9

Just then, Hikone heard children singing outside: "The demon Oniroku loves eyes, the eyes of carpenter Hikone."…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 10

Hikone went to the river, and the demon appeared before him. "Well, have you discovered my name?" "Is it... Onijo?"…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 11

The demon stretched out his hands toward Hikone, but the carpenter quickly shouted, "Your name is Oniroku!"

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 12

"Aaaah!" The instant he heard his name, the demon was swallowed by the river and disappeared.

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 13

Some time later, a beautiful bridge appeared over the river. The crossing was finally built, and all the villagers…

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 14

the carpenter and the demon folktale japanese tale the japanese tale daiku to oniroku, where carpenter hikone must build a bridge for his village and uncover the river oni’s name. the carpenter and the demon — page 1 long ago, there was a village through which a powerful river flowed, roaring as it ran. for… the carpenter and the demon — page 2 the villagers tried many times to build a bridge, but every bridge was swept away by the river. the carpenter and the demon — page 3 so they went to hikone, the finest carpenter in the village. "master hikone, could you somehow… the carpenter and the demon — page 4 hikone went to the riverbank to think. "what a terrible current. building a bridge here will… the carpenter and the demon — page 5 as hikone was thinking of a way to build the bridge, something suddenly rose from the water.… the carpenter and the demon — page 6 "hey, don’t run! what were you muttering while you stared at the river?" still frightened,… the carpenter and the demon — page 7 "but without a bridge, the people of the village will suffer. could you not help us somehow?"… the carpenter and the demon — page 8 "no, that would be terrible. i would not be able to see." the demon then said, "guess my name.… the carpenter and the demon — page 9 hikone returned home and thought. "what could the demon’s name be? oniyoshi? onijo? onihei? i… the carpenter and the demon — page 10 just then, hikone heard children singing outside: "the demon oniroku loves eyes, the eyes of… the carpenter and the demon — page 11 hikone went to the river, and the demon appeared before him. "well, have you discovered my… the carpenter and the demon — page 12 the demon stretched out his hands toward hikone, but the carpenter quickly shouted, "your name… the carpenter and the demon — page 13 "aaaah!" the instant he heard his name, the demon was swallowed by the river and disappeared. the carpenter and the demon — page 14 some time later, a beautiful bridge appeared over the river. the crossing was finally built,…

The Carpenter and the Demon

The Japanese tale Hanasaka Jiisan, about a kind old man, his dog Pochi, and ashes that can make dead trees bloom.

Long ago, in a certain place, there lived a very kind old man. He had a dog named Pochi. One day, Pochi began…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 1

Pochi led the old man to a mulberry tree. When the old man cut it down, a great amount of money suddenly came out…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 2

Next door to the good old man lived a bad old man. When he heard what had happened, he became jealous and asked,…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 3

When he was alone with the dog, the bad old man said, "Come now, find money for me too. It will be better for you if…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 4

"So that is where the money is, is it?" The bad old man went to the place where Pochi was barking, but instead of…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 5

Worried, the good old man went to his neighbor’s house to bring Pochi back. "That useless dog is not here anymore.…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 6

Suddenly, a tree grew from Pochi’s grave and quickly became large. The good old man cut it down and made an usu from…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 7

When the neighbor heard this, he again borrowed the usu from the good old man. But when he made mochi, only broken…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 8

The good old man went to get his usu back, but the neighbor said, "Hmph! I burned that useless usu." With no other…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 9

Some time later, the good old man climbed to the top of a cherry tree and, scattering the ashes of the usu, cried,…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 10

Seeing this, the bad old man took the remaining ashes, climbed a tree, and, while the wealthy man watched, threw…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man — page 11

the good old man and the bad old man folktale japanese tale the japanese tale hanasaka jiisan, about a kind old man, his dog pochi, and ashes that can make dead trees bloom. the good old man and the bad old man — page 1 long ago, in a certain place, there lived a very kind old man. he had a dog named pochi. one… the good old man and the bad old man — page 2 pochi led the old man to a mulberry tree. when the old man cut it down, a great amount of… the good old man and the bad old man — page 3 next door to the good old man lived a bad old man. when he heard what had happened, he became… the good old man and the bad old man — page 4 when he was alone with the dog, the bad old man said, "come now, find money for me too. it… the good old man and the bad old man — page 5 "so that is where the money is, is it?" the bad old man went to the place where pochi was… the good old man and the bad old man — page 6 worried, the good old man went to his neighbor’s house to bring pochi back. "that useless dog… the good old man and the bad old man — page 7 suddenly, a tree grew from pochi’s grave and quickly became large. the good old man cut it… the good old man and the bad old man — page 8 when the neighbor heard this, he again borrowed the usu from the good old man. but when he… the good old man and the bad old man — page 9 the good old man went to get his usu back, but the neighbor said, "hmph! i burned that useless… the good old man and the bad old man — page 10 some time later, the good old man climbed to the top of a cherry tree and, scattering the… the good old man and the bad old man — page 11 seeing this, the bad old man took the remaining ashes, climbed a tree, and, while the wealthy…

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man

A Japanese tale inspired by Sanmai no Ofuda, where a young monk crosses the mountain carrying three protective ofuda charms.

There was once a temple where a young monk lived. One day, his master told him to go to the next village, beyond the…

The Witch and the Monk — page 1

As the monk walked along the mountain path, he met an old woman sitting by the roadside. "Young monk, young monk,…

The Witch and the Monk — page 2

The monk decided to help her and took her hand. "That way! That way!" the old woman said, pointing out the path. The…

The Witch and the Monk — page 3

At last they reached a house in the mountains. "Thank you. But night will soon fall, and the road is dangerous after…

The Witch and the Monk — page 4

In the middle of the night, the monk woke to the sound of something being sharpened. Peering through a hole in the…

The Witch and the Monk — page 5

"Grandmother, grandmother, I need to go to the toilet," said the monk. "Very well, but so you do not get lost, I…

The Witch and the Monk — page 6

When the monk reached the toilet, he untied the rope from his waist and tied it to a pillar together with one of the…

The Witch and the Monk — page 7

"Are you still in the toilet, young monk?" called the witch. The pillar answered, "Yes!" "Are you still in the…

The Witch and the Monk — page 8

At last, the witch realized the monk was no longer there and began to chase him. She ran so fast that she soon…

The Witch and the Monk — page 9

Suddenly, a great river appeared before the witch. She had to swim across it, and because of that, the monk was able…

The Witch and the Monk — page 10

After crossing the river, the witch resumed the chase. When her hands were almost touching the monk’s back, he…

The Witch and the Monk — page 11

Then the monk ran to the temple and cried to his master, "Master, master! The witch is after me!" "Very well. Hide…

The Witch and the Monk — page 12

No sooner had the monk hidden inside the cupboard than the witch leapt into the temple. "Hello, old monk. Your…

The Witch and the Monk — page 13

"Very well," said the old monk. "Let’s make a wager. If I lose, I won’t mind being eaten. Can you turn yourself into…

The Witch and the Monk — page 14

Seeing this, the monk did not hesitate. He reached out, picked up the bean, put it in his mouth, and ate it.

The Witch and the Monk — page 15

the witch and the monk folktale japanese tale a japanese tale inspired by sanmai no ofuda, where a young monk crosses the mountain carrying three protective ofuda charms. the witch and the monk — page 1 there was once a temple where a young monk lived. one day, his master told him to go to the… the witch and the monk — page 2 as the monk walked along the mountain path, he met an old woman sitting by the roadside.… the witch and the monk — page 3 the monk decided to help her and took her hand. "that way! that way!" the old woman said,… the witch and the monk — page 4 at last they reached a house in the mountains. "thank you. but night will soon fall, and the… the witch and the monk — page 5 in the middle of the night, the monk woke to the sound of something being sharpened. peering… the witch and the monk — page 6 "grandmother, grandmother, i need to go to the toilet," said the monk. "very well, but so you… the witch and the monk — page 7 when the monk reached the toilet, he untied the rope from his waist and tied it to a pillar… the witch and the monk — page 8 "are you still in the toilet, young monk?" called the witch. the pillar answered, "yes!" "are… the witch and the monk — page 9 at last, the witch realized the monk was no longer there and began to chase him. she ran so… the witch and the monk — page 10 suddenly, a great river appeared before the witch. she had to swim across it, and because of… the witch and the monk — page 11 after crossing the river, the witch resumed the chase. when her hands were almost touching the… the witch and the monk — page 12 then the monk ran to the temple and cried to his master, "master, master! the witch is after… the witch and the monk — page 13 no sooner had the monk hidden inside the cupboard than the witch leapt into the temple.… the witch and the monk — page 14 "very well," said the old monk. "let’s make a wager. if i lose, i won’t mind being eaten. can… the witch and the monk — page 15 seeing this, the monk did not hesitate. he reached out, picked up the bean, put it in his…

Once upon a time...

The path of tales

Urashima Taro

Momotaro

Princess Kaguya

Kintaro

The Carpenter and the Demon

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man

The Witch and the Monk

Urashima Taro

Momotaro

Princess Kaguya

Kintaro

The Carpenter and the Demon

The Good Old Man and the Bad Old Man

The Witch and the Monk