Peach Boy And Other Japanese Children's Favorite Stories. Florence Sakade
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, Vermont 05759 U.S.A.
Copyright © 2008 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sakade, Florence.
Peach Boy and other Japanese children’s favorite stories / compiled by Florence Sakade;
illustrated by Yoshisuke Kurosaki. — 1st ed.
p. cm.
Summary: A collection of traditional Japanese folktales, including “Peach Boy,” “The Magic Teakettle,” and “The Tongue-Cut Sparrow.”
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0832-5 (ebook)
1. Tales—Japan. [1. Folklore—Japan.] I. Kurosaki, Yoshisuke, 1905– ill. II. Title.
PZ8.1.S2155Pe 2008
[398.20952]—dc22
2007052483
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First edition
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Printed in Malaysia
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Contents
Monkey-Dance and Sparrow-Dance
Publisher’s Foreword
In today’s ever-shrinking world—where e-mails zoom from one continent to another in the space of a heartbeat, where travelers can easily pass through political boundaries once more solid than stone—understanding and tolerance have never been at a higher premium. Parents and teachers are increasingly aware of the need for children to be citizens of this small world who will grow into thinking adults who, while proud of their own traditions and heritage, respect the varied experiences and viewpoints to be found in other cultures.
This collection of traditional stories can help set children on this enlightened path, introducing them to marvelous characters and places that have been loved by Japanese children for centuries.
Each of these stories—amusing, instructive and wise—is to be found in many forms and versions in Japan, and often in other countries as well. We have tried to select the most interesting version in each case and, in our translations, to remain true to the spirit of the Japanese originals. At the same time we have explained in the stories customs and situations that Western readers might not understand.
These timeless stories have both united and delighted children for hundreds of years, and will continue to do so for countless generations to come.
Peach Boy
Once upon a time there lived in Japan a kind old man and his wife. The old man was a woodcutter. He and his wife were very sad and lonely because they had no children.
One day the old man went into the mountains to cut firewood, and the old woman went to the river to wash clothes. No sooner had the old woman begun her washing than she was very surprised to see a big peach floating down the river. It was the biggest peach she’d ever seen in all her life. She pulled the peach out of the river and decided to take it home and share it with the old man for their supper that night.
Late in the afternoon the old man came home, and the old woman said to him, “Look what a wonderful peach I’ve found for our supper.” The old man said it was truly a beautiful peach. He was very hungry and said, “Let’s divide it and eat it right away.”
So the old woman brought a big knife from the kitchen and got ready to cut the peach in half. But just then a human voice called out from inside the peach. “Wait! Don’t cut me!” cried the voice. Suddenly the peach split open, and a beautiful baby boy jumped out of the peach.
The old man and woman were astounded. But the baby said, “Don’t