Lit. Peach Boy. Hero of one of Japan's best-loved
tales. A tiny boy discovered inside a large peach soon grows into a strong lad
and leaves home to conquer Demon's Island, Onigashima 鬼ヶ島. With the help of three
talking animals, a dog, monkey, and pheasant, he defeats the marauding ogres and
returns home laden with treasures. The earliest known illustrations are woodcuts
from the early 18c, but this soon became a popular theme for illustrators and
painters. Momotarou is usually shown as a young boy wearing a headband and jinbaori
陣羽織 (a coat worn over armor) and accompanied by the three animal companions; often
he holds a small dumpling, kibidango きびだんご, and a banner. |