Among the best-known Japanese folktales is the story of Momotaro, a boy whose unusual birth begins with an enormous peach floating down a river. Raised by an elderly couple who have long wished for a child, Momotaro grows into a brave young man determined to confront the demons responsible for terrible suffering.
His journey takes him across the sea to the Island of Devils, where he forms an unlikely friendship with a dog, a monkey and a pheasant. Together, they face dangerous enemies and discover the importance of courage, loyalty and cooperation.
The Old Couple and the Enormous Peach
Long ago, there lived a poor elderly man and his wife in a small Japanese village. They worked hard every day, but their efforts brought them only enough to meet their simple needs. Although they had spent many years together, they had no children and often wished for a son or daughter who could bring happiness into their home.
One morning, the old man went into the mountains to gather firewood, as he usually did. His wife remained at home and went to the river to wash clothes.
While she was working beside the water, she noticed an enormous peach floating towards her. It was much larger than an ordinary fruit and immediately caught her attention.
The woman wanted to bring it ashore, but the peach continued moving along the river. Remembering an old charm-verse, she recited the words and called upon the fruit to come closer. The peach responded to her call and floated towards the bank.
Delighted by her discovery, she lifted the enormous fruit and carried it home. She intended to share it with her husband when he returned from the mountains.
The Birth of Momotaro
When the old man returned, his wife showed him the enormous peach. Both were astonished by its size and believed it would make a wonderful meal.
The old man took a knife and prepared to cut it open. However, before he could do so, the peach suddenly split apart by itself.
Explore more stories from our Yei Theodora Ozaki’s Japanese Fairy Tales collection.
To their amazement, a beautiful little boy emerged from inside the fruit. The elderly couple had never witnessed anything like it. They were surprised and delighted by the unexpected arrival of the child.
The boy explained that Heaven had sent him to become their son. The old couple accepted him with great happiness, believing that their long-standing wish for a child had finally been fulfilled.
They named him Momotaro, which means Son of a Peach. From that day, they raised him with great affection and cared for him as their own child.
Momotaro grew quickly and became strong, intelligent and courageous. His unusual birth did not prevent him from developing into a capable young man, and his parents were proud of the person he was becoming.
Momotaro Announces His Mission
When Momotaro reached the age of fifteen, he decided that it was time to undertake an important mission.
He told his elderly parents that he intended to travel to the Island of Devils. The island was inhabited by a band of dangerous demons who had been causing great suffering. They robbed people, killed them and ate human flesh.
Momotaro was determined to confront the demons and put an end to their cruelty. His parents were concerned about the danger of such a journey, but they understood his determination.
Before he departed, they prepared provisions for him. His mother made him special millet dumplings, known as kibi-dango, to sustain him during the expedition.
With his food and belongings ready, Momotaro said farewell to his parents and began his journey towards the distant island.
The Dog Joins the Journey
As Momotaro travelled along the road, he encountered a dog. The animal approached him and demanded to know where he was going.
Momotaro explained that he was travelling to the Island of Devils to fight the demons who lived there. The dog was impressed by his courage and asked to accompany him.
Momotaro agreed, offering the dog one of his millet dumplings as a reward for joining the expedition. The dog accepted the food and became his first companion.
The two continued along the road together. Momotaro was no longer travelling alone, and the dog was ready to help him face the dangers ahead.
The Monkey and the Pheasant Join
Further along the journey, Momotaro met a monkey. Like the dog, the monkey wanted to know where he was going.
Momotaro explained his mission and offered the monkey a millet dumpling if it would join him. The monkey accepted and became the second member of the expedition.
The dog and monkey did not immediately become friends. They began quarrelling, and their disagreement threatened to disturb the journey.
Momotaro intervened and reminded them that they had joined him for a common purpose. He insisted that they should work together rather than waste their strength fighting among themselves.
His words helped restore order, and the three continued their journey.
Before long, they encountered a pheasant. The bird also asked about Momotaro’s destination and learned about his plan to defeat the demons.
Momotaro offered the pheasant one of his millet dumplings, and it agreed to join the expedition. The pheasant became their third animal companion.
The group now consisted of Momotaro, the dog, the monkey and the pheasant. Each had accepted the mission, and they travelled together towards the coast.
The Voyage to the Island of Devils
After reaching the northeastern coast, Momotaro and his companions prepared to cross the sea. Their destination was the Island of Devils, where the demons lived in a fortified castle.
They found a ship and set sail across the water. The journey brought them closer to the place where Momotaro hoped to accomplish his mission.
As they approached the island, the companions remained alert. They understood that defeating the demons would require courage and cooperation.
The pheasant was particularly useful because it could fly above the ground and observe places that the others could not easily reach. The dog and monkey were also ready to use their abilities when the opportunity arose.
At last, they arrived at the island and made their way towards the demons’ stronghold.
The Attack on the Demons’ Castle
The demons lived inside a large castle surrounded by strong defences. Entering it directly would have been difficult, so Momotaro and his companions needed a way to reach the people held captive inside.
The pheasant began the attack from above, flying towards the demons and disturbing them with its sudden movements. Meanwhile, Momotaro, the dog and the monkey approached the castle.
They discovered two women who were being held captive by the demons. The women showed them a small back entrance through which they could gain access to the stronghold.
Using this entrance, Momotaro and his companions entered the castle and began fighting the demons.
The battle was fierce, but the group worked together. The dog and monkey fought alongside Momotaro, while the pheasant continued attacking from above. Their combined efforts overwhelmed the demons, who could not withstand the determined assault.
Eventually, the demon chief was defeated. Realising that resistance was useless, he surrendered and broke off his horns as a sign of submission.
He offered the treasure kept inside the castle in exchange for his life and freedom from further punishment.
The Defeat of the Demons and the Return Home
Momotaro had accomplished the mission he had set out to complete. The demons had been defeated, and the people they had imprisoned could finally be released.
The demon chief pleaded for mercy, but Momotaro refused to spare him because of the terrible suffering he had caused. He captured the chief and ensured that the prisoners were freed.
The rescued women and other captives were able to return to their families. Momotaro also took possession of the treasure from the castle.
With the mission completed, he and his three animal companions began their journey home. The return was a joyful occasion because they had overcome the danger that had brought them to the island.
When Momotaro arrived, his elderly parents welcomed him with great happiness. They were delighted to see their son again, especially after the dangers he had faced.
The treasure he brought back allowed the old couple to live comfortably for the remainder of their lives. The people of the country also celebrated Momotaro’s achievement, and he became widely recognised as a hero.
His journey had transformed him from the mysterious child found inside a peach into a courageous young man whose actions brought relief to many people.
Explore our complete Historic Folklore & Fairy-Tale Collections archive
Moral Lessons
Momotaro’s story teaches the value of courage and determination. Although the demons were dangerous and their island was far away, Momotaro did not abandon his mission. His willingness to confront injustice shows how determination can help people face difficult challenges.
The tale also highlights the importance of friendship and cooperation. The dog, monkey and pheasant came from different backgrounds, but they joined together for a shared purpose. Their disagreements could have weakened the expedition, yet Momotaro encouraged them to work as a team. Their success demonstrates that people can achieve more when they respect one another and combine their strengths.
Knowledge Check
1. What unusual event led to the birth of Momotaro?
An enormous peach floated down the river, and when the old man tried to cut it open, a little boy emerged from inside.
2. Why did Momotaro decide to travel to the Island of Devils?
He wanted to defeat the demons who robbed, killed and ate people.
3. What food did Momotaro’s mother prepare for his journey?
She prepared special millet dumplings called kibi-dango.
4. Which three animals joined Momotaro on his expedition?
A dog, a monkey and a pheasant joined him.
5. How did Momotaro and his companions gain entrance to the demons’ castle?
Two captive women showed them a small back entrance into the castle.
6. What happened after Momotaro defeated the demons?
He freed the prisoners, captured the demon chief, took the treasure home and reunited with his elderly parents.
Source
This retelling is based on “Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach,” included in Yei Theodora Ozaki’s Japanese Fairy Tales, published in 1908.
Explore More Yei Theodora Ozaki’s Japanese Fairy Tales
- The Tongue-Cut Sparrow
- The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moon-Child: Princess Moonlight’s Journey
- The Farmer and the Badger
