Momotaro is Japan’s most loved story of a hero going on a journey to defeat evil ogres. It was often used to teach lessons courage, bravery and friendship. The earliest record of the story dates back to the Edo period (1603-1869).
An old couple lived a peaceful life in a village in Japan. In the morning, the old man used to go to the mountain to cut grass and the woman would take care of the field while doing household work. They had only one regret, they did not have any children.
One day, the old man went to the mountain as usual and the woman went to the riverbank with a basket of clothes. She began washing the clothes when she noticed a large peach flowing in the water. She picked it up and went home with clothes and peach.
In the evening, when the man came back and they decided to open the peach to eat. Before they could cut it, the peach opened by itself and a child lay inside. The child explained that he had been bestowed by the gods to be their son as they prayed for a child.
The old couple were overjoyed. They named the child, Momotaro (momo means peach and taro translates to eldest son of the family). From the young age he was different from the others, he was stronger and taller than his peers. When he matured and reached adolescence, he left his parents to fight a band of Oni (demons or ogres) who were trying capture their village.
He went to the island called Demon Island or ‘Onigashima’ to defeat the demons. On the way, Momotaro met and befriended a talking dog, monkey and pheasant who agreed to help in exchange for millet balls. Momotaro and his friends penetrated the demon palace and defeated the demon general. The general got on his knees and begged for his life, he offered him all the treasures as an exchange.
Momotaro returned home along with his companions with plundered treasures, they celebrated their victory. The old couple were happy for their son’s safe return and they lived happily after.
