Narrative Summary of Japanese Fairy Tales

Overview:

This book is a collection of Japanese fairy tales, translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. It includes tales of brave warriors, magical creatures, and wise animals. The stories offer insights into Japanese culture, beliefs, and values, highlighting themes of loyalty, duty, perseverance, and the importance of kindness.

Main parts:

My Lord Bag of Rice: This story tells of a brave warrior who is rewarded by the Dragon King of the Lake for defeating a monstrous centipede. The Dragon King gifts him with magical objects, leading to his prosperity and the title “My Lord Bag of Rice”.
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow: This tale is about an old man who loves his sparrow, but whose wife is so cruel she cuts off the bird’s tongue. The sparrow is revealed to be a fairy, and she rewards the old man with a box of riches. The wife, driven by greed, is punished when the larger box she attempts to steal unleashes terrifying demons.
The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad: A kind fisherman saves a tortoise, who later returns the favor by taking him to the Dragon King’s palace beneath the sea. He enjoys three days of happiness and immortality with the Dragon King’s daughter, but forgets his promise not to open a box gifted to him. His disobedience leads to his rapid aging and death.
The Farmer and the Badger: This story tells of a farmer who captures a badger responsible for ruining his crops. He plans to make soup of the creature, but his wife, tricked by the badger, is killed and made into soup instead. A kind rabbit ultimately avenges her death.
The “Shinanisha,” or the South Pointing Carriage: This tale explains the invention of a magical chariot that always points south, created by Emperor Kotei to defeat a rebel magician. The story also details the Emperor’s invention of the boat, and his ascension to Heaven.
The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy: This story is about Kintaro, a child of great strength who is raised in the mountains by his mother. He befriends animals and becomes a warrior, eventually slaying a cannibal monster and becoming a national hero.
The Story of Princess Hase. A Story of Old Japan: A noble princess named Hase-Hime is born to her parents after they pray to the goddess Kwannon. After her mother’s death, she is mistreated by her cruel stepmother, who attempts to poison her, only to poison her own son. Hase-Hime, a talented poetess, saves the Emperor from illness with her verses, and is rewarded with honor. When she is nearly killed by her stepmother, her father rescues her, and she eventually marries the Emperor.
The Story of the Man who did not Wish to Die: This tale follows Sentaro, a man obsessed with living forever, who is granted a wish to live in the land of Perpetual Life, where the inhabitants are weary of immortality and long for death. He learns that life is not about avoiding death, but about living a good life and fulfilling one’s duties.
The Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-Child: A bamboo cutter finds a tiny, beautiful girl inside a glowing bamboo stalk. She grows quickly into a radiant princess, but her true identity is revealed – she is a Moon Child who must return to the moon.
The Mirror of Matsuyama: This story tells of a woman who is given a mirror by her husband. When she mourns her mother’s death, she finds comfort in looking at the mirror and believing she is seeing her mother’s soul. The story explores themes of filial piety, grief, and the power of love and memory.
The Goblin of Adachigahara: A priest, while traveling, is tricked into staying in a cottage inhabited by a cannibal goblin who takes the form of an old woman. He escapes with the help of Buddha, realizing the dangers of the haunted plain.
The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar: This tale tells of a monkey who outwits his owner and escapes being sold to the butcher. He is aided by a wise boar who tricks the owner’s wife into losing her child, prompting the couple to spare the monkey’s life.
The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher: Two brothers swap occupations, but the Happy Hunter’s inexperience leads to the loss of the Skillful Fisher’s prized fishing hook. The Happy Hunter travels to the Dragon King’s palace and recovers the hook, gaining two magical tide jewels along the way. He returns to discover that his brother has usurped his position. The tide jewels help him reclaim his place, and the brothers reconcile.
The Story of the Old Man who Made Withered Trees to Flower: A kind old man is gifted with a magic mortar that makes endless rice cakes after his beloved dog, Shiro, is murdered by his cruel neighbor. The ashes of the mortar are revealed to have the power to make withered trees bloom. The neighbor, trying to imitate the old man, is punished for his greed.
The Jelly Fish and the Monkey: The Dragon King of the Sea seeks a monkey’s liver to cure his sick wife. A jelly fish, tricked by the clever monkey, brings him halfway to the palace, only to be punished for his stupidity and lose his bones.
The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab: A monkey convinces a crab to exchange his rice dumpling for a persimmon seed. The seed grows into a tree, and the monkey, greedy for the fruit, kills the crab. The crab’s son, with the help of his friends, takes revenge on the monkey.
The White Hare and the Crocodiles: A white hare tricks a crocodile into creating a bridge of crocodiles, allowing him to reach the mainland. He is punished by the crocodiles for his deceit, but is eventually saved by the god Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto, who is also aided by the hare’s kindness.
The Story of Prince Yamato Take: A brave prince, Yamato Take, is tasked with conquering rebels. He uses disguises and cunning to defeat them, earning the name Yamato Take. He then faces a fire trap set by a governor, escaping with the help of a magical sword. He travels to Kadzusa, where he is nearly killed by a storm, only to be saved by his wife’s sacrifice. He then conquers the Ainu rebels, solidifying his place as a great warrior.

View on Life:

Importance of Filial Piety: The stories often emphasize the importance of respecting and caring for parents, even after death. Examples include “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow”, “The Story of Urashima Taro”, “The Mirror of Matsuyama” and “The Story of the Old Man who Made Withered Trees to Flower”.
Consequences of Greed and Deceit: Many tales demonstrate that greed and deceit often lead to downfall and punishment, as seen in “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow”, “The Farmer and the Badger”, “The White Hare and the Crocodiles”, and “The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab”.
Value of Kindness and Patience: The stories often show that kindness and patience are rewarded, as seen in “The Story of Urashima Taro”, “The Farmer and the Badger”, “The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher”, and “The Story of the Old Man who Made Withered Trees to Flower”.
Importance of Duty and Loyalty: The stories of heroes, like Yamato Take and Kintaro, exemplify the importance of duty and loyalty to one’s family, country, and ruler.

Scenarios:

Encountering Magical Creatures: Many tales feature encounters with fantastical creatures like the Dragon King, the centipede, the fire-rat, and the swallow carrying a shell.
Quests for Magic Objects: Several stories involve quests for magical items, such as the Elixir of Life, Buddha’s bowl, and the five-colored jewel.
Trials of Love: In “The Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-Child”, five knights are tested by Princess Moonlight to prove their love, highlighting the value of perseverance and dedication.
Deception and Revenge: Many stories explore themes of deception and revenge, as seen in “The Farmer and the Badger”, “The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab”, and “The White Hare and the Crocodiles”.
Testing of Character: Characters face various trials that test their strength, cunning, and loyalty, allowing their true nature to be revealed.

Challenges:

Overcoming Monsterous Creatures: Warriors like Yamato Take and Kintaro face challenges in the form of dangerous monsters, which they overcome through their bravery and skill.
Finding Hidden Treasures: Many characters search for treasures, often using wit and determination to locate them.
Overcoming Greed and Selfishness: Characters struggle to overcome their own greed and selfishness, ultimately learning the importance of kindness and compassion.
Recovering Lost Items: In “The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher” and “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow”, characters face the challenge of recovering lost objects, often through unexpected journeys and encounters.
Overcoming Deception: Characters like the farmer and the crab are deceived by cunning adversaries, learning to recognize the true nature of those around them.

Conflict:

Human vs. Supernatural: Many stories depict conflict between humans and mythical creatures, as in “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow” and “The Story of Urashima Taro”.
Human vs. Human: Conflicts arise between individuals, often driven by greed, envy, or ambition, as in “The Farmer and the Badger”, “The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher”, and “The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab”.
Human vs. Self: Characters often struggle with internal conflicts, as in “The Story of the Man who did not Wish to Die”, where Sentaro wrestles with his desire for immortality.

Plot:

Overcoming Obstacles: Most stories follow a common plot structure of overcoming obstacles, often presented as tests or trials.
Reward and Punishment: Kindness is often rewarded, while greed and deceit lead to punishment, creating a sense of karmic balance.
Transformation and Growth: Characters often undergo transformation, learning valuable life lessons as they overcome challenges.
Redemption and Forgiveness: Characters like the wife in “The Mirror of Matsuyama” and the Skillful Fisher in “The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher” find redemption through repentance and forgiveness.

Point of View:

Third-person Narrative: The stories are told from a third-person perspective, providing a neutral view of the events and characters.
Animal Perspective: Some tales, like “The Sagacious Monkey and the Boar” and “The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab”, are narrated from the perspective of animals, providing insight into their thinking and motivations.

How it’s written:

Simple and Direct Language: The stories are written in a straightforward style with simple vocabulary and clear descriptions.
Focus on Action and Dialogue: The narratives emphasize action and dialogue, making the stories engaging and easy to follow.
Use of Repetition and Rhyme: The use of repetition and rhyme adds to the rhythm and memorability of the stories, a common feature in traditional folktales.

Tone:

Whimsical and Playful: Many stories are lighthearted and humorous, even when dealing with serious themes.
Moralistic and Instructive: The stories often contain underlying moral messages, teaching about virtues like kindness, loyalty, and perseverance.
Respectful and Reverent: The stories demonstrate a respect for tradition, culture, and the supernatural, reflecting traditional Japanese values.

Life choices:

Choosing Duty over Self-Interest: Characters like Yamato Take and the old man in “The Story of the Old Man who Made Withered Trees to Flower” make choices that prioritize duty over personal desires.
The Consequences of Disobedience: Urashima Taro’s choice to disobey the Dragon King’s warning leads to his tragic demise, highlighting the dangers of impulsiveness.
Forgiving Wrongdoings: The stories often showcase forgiveness as a virtue, as seen in “The Mirror of Matsuyama” and “The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher”.

Lessons:

The Power of Kindness: Many stories illustrate that kindness and compassion are rewarded, emphasizing the importance of treating others with respect and empathy.
Importance of Patience and Perseverance: Characters who persevere through adversity, such as the knights in “The Bamboo-cutter and the Moon-Child” and the crab in “The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab”, are ultimately rewarded for their dedication.
Consequences of Greed and Deceit: The stories teach that greed and deceit can lead to misfortune and even death, urging readers to avoid these vices.
Importance of Family and Duty: The tales emphasize the value of family bonds and one’s duty to others, as seen in “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow”, “The Story of Urashima Taro”, and “The Story of Prince Yamato Take”.

Characters:

Yamato Take: A brave and resourceful prince, renowned for his strength, wisdom, and courage. He is determined to bring peace to his kingdom and defeat his enemies.
Kintaro: A child of extraordinary strength raised in the mountains, who becomes a warrior and national hero. He is loyal, kind, and possesses a strong sense of justice.
Hase-Hime: A talented poetess and princess, who is kind, virtuous, and patient in the face of adversity. She eventually becomes a revered figure at the Emperor’s court.
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow: A fairy disguised as a sparrow, who rewards kindness and punishes cruelty. She represents the power of nature and the importance of truthfulness.
The Dragon King: The ruler of the Sea, who is powerful, wise, and compassionate. He often acts as a guardian figure and dispenser of justice.
The Badger: A cunning and malicious creature who represents greed and deceit. He is ultimately punished for his crimes.
Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto: A kind god who helps the white hare and ultimately wins the heart of Princess Yakami. He embodies the virtues of compassion and generosity.

Themes:

The Power of the Supernatural: The stories often feature magical creatures and events, reflecting the importance of the supernatural in Japanese folklore.
The Nature of Good and Evil: The stories depict the struggle between good and evil, highlighting the consequences of moral choices.
The Importance of Family and Duty: The tales emphasize the importance of family bonds and one’s duty to others, highlighting traditional Japanese values.
The Power of Faith and Perseverance: Many characters overcome obstacles through their faith and determination, reminding readers that even seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome.
The Beauty of Nature: The stories celebrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of humans and nature.

Principles:

Karma and Retribution: Many stories operate on the principle of karma, where actions have consequences, and good deeds are rewarded while evil deeds are punished.
The Importance of Respect: Respect for elders, rulers, and the supernatural is a recurring theme, reflecting traditional Japanese social structures.
The Value of Perseverance: The stories often highlight the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges, demonstrating that success is often achieved through hard work and dedication.

Intentions:

Characters: The intentions of the characters in these tales often vary: some act out of greed, some out of love, and some out of duty.
Reader: The intentions of the reader are to enjoy a collection of stories, gain insight into Japanese culture and values, and possibly learn life lessons from the tales.

Unique Vocabulary:

Mikoto: A title of respect for Japanese emperors or deities.
Samurai: A Japanese warrior.
Okkasan: “Mother” in Japanese.
Obi: A wide sash worn by women.
Tokonoma: An alcove in a traditional Japanese room where objects of beauty are displayed.
Fusama: Sliding doors made of paper and wood.
Magatama: A curved jewel, often part of necklaces.
Katsural tree: A species of tree native to Japan.
Kurage: “Jelly fish” in Japanese.
SaKE: A Japanese rice wine.
Daimio: An Earl or lord in Japan.
YenoKI: A species of tree native to Japan.
Kaba flowers: Flowers mentioned in the story that are used to cure the hare’s injuries.

Anecdotes:

The Tongue-Cut Sparrow: The story of the sparrow who eats starch by mistake and is punished by the wife for her “crime” is a reminder to be compassionate towards others and avoid unnecessary cruelty.
The Farmer and the Badger: The tale of the farmer who is tricked by the badger and loses his wife is a warning to be wary of appearances and to carefully consider those we trust.
The Story of Urashima Taro: Urashima Taro’s journey to the Dragon King’s palace emphasizes the importance of keeping promises and the dangers of succumbing to temptation.
The Story of the Old Man who Made Withered Trees to Flower: The story of the old man who gains a magic mortar after the death of his dog reminds us of the importance of kindness and how even the smallest of acts can bring great rewards.

Ideas:

The Power of Nature: These tales often depict nature as a force to be reckoned with, full of both beauty and danger. The stories also suggest that humans are part of a larger ecosystem and must live in harmony with nature.
The Importance of Moral Choices: The stories explore the consequences of moral choices, showing how greed, deceit, and cruelty can lead to misfortune, while kindness and compassion are often rewarded.
The Impermanence of Life: Many stories highlight the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death, emphasizing the need to make the most of each day and to live with a sense of purpose.

Facts and Findings:

The Three Sacred Treasures: The stories mention the three sacred treasures of the Japanese Empire, the mirror, the jewel, and the sword, demonstrating their importance in Japanese tradition.
Traditional Beliefs: The tales reflect various traditional Japanese beliefs, including the belief in supernatural beings, the importance of filial piety, and the power of the elements.
Cultural Practices: The stories provide insight into traditional Japanese customs, such as the practice of tea ceremonies and the use of specific items, like swords and mirrors.

Statistics:

The stories are set in a time period when the Emperor was considered a direct descendant of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, which places them around the 1st century AD.
Many of the stories emphasize the importance of respect for elders, a central value in Japanese culture.
The stories reflect a strong emphasis on honor, bravery, and martial skills, which were crucial aspects of Japanese society for centuries.

Points of View:

The stories are written from a perspective that generally reflects traditional Japanese values and beliefs, although it’s worth noting that they are being presented in a translated form.
The narratives often present a strong sense of morality, emphasizing the consequences of good and bad actions.

Perspective:

The stories offer a glimpse into the rich and fascinating world of Japanese folklore, revealing the cultural values, beliefs, and anxieties of the Japanese people.
They provide a unique perspective on themes of good and evil, the nature of life and death, and the importance of family, duty, and respect.

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