Upper intermediate · JLPT N2
桃太郎Momotarō — The Boy Who Came from a Peach
- JLPT N2
- 5,354 characters
- 4 parts
- about 45 minutes
- 3 easier versions
This is Kusuyama Masao's retelling of Momotarō, perhaps Japan's best-known folk tale: a baby boy bursts out of a giant peach, grows up strong and kind, and sets off with millet dumplings to face the ogres of distant Onigashima. Along the way a dog, a monkey and a pheasant join him. Kusuyama tells it in a warm storyteller's voice, using polite です/ます narration meant to be read aloud. The text is full of sound words like ドンブラコッコ, short sung verses, and scenes that repeat with small changes, all of which give it a strong rhythm. For learners, the familiar plot is a real help, because you can follow the story while you focus on the language. The challenge is that the Japanese is richer than the plot. The measured level is N2. Speech styles shift between characters: the old couple talk in homely casual Japanese, Momotarō speaks plainly to the animals, and the animals answer him in formal keigo. A few old-fashioned words, such as 陣羽織 and 軍扇, also appear. Across four short parts, this gives you good practice in register, onomatopoeia and classic narrative grammar.
Contents
Easier versions
This story is also retold in simpler Japanese. Reading an easier version first makes the original much more approachable.
Before you read
- Follow the speech levels. The animals use humble and honorific forms to Momotarō (ございます, おいでになります), while he answers them in short plain commands. Noticing who uses which form shows you the relationships in the story.
- Read the sound words and sung verses aloud (ドンブラコッコ, ぺんたらこっこ). They are onomatopoeia and rhythm, not vocabulary to look up. They repeat, so you will soon recognise them.
- Use the repeated scenes to build confidence. The dog, monkey and pheasant meetings follow almost the same wording, so once you understand the first one, you can check yourself on the next two.
- Learn a few key words before you start: 鬼 (ogre), きびだんご (millet dumpling), 家来 (follower), 宝物 (treasure), 城 (castle) and 門 (gate). Treat rarer items such as むつき (swaddling clothes), 陣羽織 (battle surcoat) and 軍扇 (war fan) as glossed words, not study targets.
- Watch for storytelling grammar. 〜ていますと means 'as/when (someone) was doing…' and usually sets up a sudden event. 〜ものだから and 〜にちがいない explain the characters' reasoning, and 〜につれて marks gradual change, as when Momotarō grows up.
Words to know
The most useful words from the notes across the story.
| Word | Meaning | JLPT |
|---|---|---|
| くろがねくろがね | iron (archaic/literary word; modern てつ)dictionary form: 鉄An old native word, literally 'black metal'. Modern Japanese uses 鉄 (てつ). | N3 |
| いかめしいいかめしい | grim, stern and imposingdictionary form: 厳めしい | — |
| せいばつせいばつ | a punitive expedition, conquering (enemies)dictionary form: 征伐An old word for going to subdue wrongdoers. | — |
| おいでになりますおいでになる | to go / come / be (honorific)dictionary form: おいでになるRespectful keigo; shows the animals' courtesy toward Momotarō. | N4 |
| みごとなみごと | splendid, magnificentdictionary form: 見事な-adjective; often written 見事. | N3 |
| よけてよける | to avoid, keep away fromdictionary form: 避けるSame kanji as さける; よける is more physical and colloquial. | N3 |
| せっせとせっせと | busily, diligentlyDescribes steady, hard-working effort. | N2 |
| 孝行こうこう | filial devotion, being good to one's parentsCommon in the phrase 親孝行. Takes をする. | N2 |
| 見送ってみおくる | to see someone off, to watch someone leavedictionary form: 見送る | N2 |
| さずけてさずける | to grant, bestow (a child, a gift)dictionary form: 授けるUsed of gods or superiors giving something. | N1 |
| かなうかなう | to be a match for, to rivalUsually used with a negative: かなうものはない, 'no one can match him'. | N1 |
| 気だてきだて | disposition, naturedictionary form: 気立てUsually praises a kind, good-hearted character. | N1 |
| 家来けらい | retainer, follower, vassalOld word for a lord's servant; common in folk tales. | N1 |
| へいこうへいこう | being at one's wits' end; unable to copedictionary form: 閉口Literally 'closing the mouth', that is, being too overwhelmed to say anything. | N1 |
| しば刈りしばかり | gathering brushwood / firewooddictionary form: 柴刈り柴 is small brushwood used as fuel; a classic job for old men in folk tales. | — |
Plot summary
Show the full summary (contains spoilers)
An old woman washing clothes in the river sees a huge peach floating toward her, sings it close and carries it home. When she and her husband admire it, the peach splits and a baby boy jumps out. They call him Momotarō. He grows up strong and gentle. At fifteen he hears of ogres on Onigashima guarding stolen treasure and asks leave to fight them. His parents make millet dumplings for the journey. On the road a dog, a monkey and a pheasant each take a dumpling and join him. They sail to the island. The pheasant pecks at the ogres, the monkey opens the iron gate and the dog bites. The beaten ogre chief hands over all his treasure to save his life. Momotarō returns home with it to his delighted parents while the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
About the author
Kusuyama Masao (1884–1950) was a Japanese writer, editor and translator who did much to shape children's literature in modern Japan. He studied at Waseda University and was also active in theatre, working as a critic and translator of Western drama. He is best remembered for his retellings of Japanese folk tales and legends for young readers. His retellings are written in clear, rhythmic Japanese meant to be read aloud.