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.
Kintaro’s adventures and other Japanese children’s favorite stories / compiled by Florence
Sakade ; illustrated by Yoshisuke Kurosaki. — 1st ed.
v. cm.
Contents: The rolling rice cakes -- How to fool a cat -- The princess and the herdboy — Saburo the eel catcher — The singing turtle — Kintaro’s adventures.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0851-6 (ebook)
1. Tales—Japan. [1. Folklore—Japan.] I. Kurosaki, Yoshisuke, 1905– ill. II. Title.
PZ8.1.S2155Kin 2008
[398.2]—dc22
2008001036
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First edition
12 11 10 09 08 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in Malaysia
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Contents
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.
The Rolling Rice Cakes
Once upon a time there lived an old man with an old wife. One day the old man said: “I’m going to cut some firewood today. Please make me some rice cakes for my lunch.” So the old woman made rice cakes and put them in the old man’s lunch box. Then the old man left the house.
He went far into the forest and cut firewood all morning. When it was noon, he sat down to eat and opened his lunch box, saying: “Now, for some of the old lady’s delicious rice cakes.”
Then he suddenly cried: “Oh, my!” because one of the rice cakes had fallen out of the box, and he saw it go rolling away. On and on it rolled, and suddenly down it plopped into a hole in the ground.
The
