Japanese legends in F. Hadland Davis’s English retellings (1912)
Momotaro, the Peach Boy
An elderly woman washing clothes draws an enormous peach from a stream. Before her husband can cut it open, a child emerges and tells the couple that he has been sent to comfort them. They call him Momotaro, or “Son of a Peach.” At fifteen he asks to leave for an island whose inhabitants have imprisoned and killed innocent people. On the road he recruits a speaking dog, a monkey and a pheasant, settling their quarrels before they cross the sea. The pheasant announces their arrival while the others enter the stronghold with the help of two captives. Momotaro returns with rescued prisoners, treasure and the defeated ruler. Davis ends the adventure with the foster-parents living in peace and plenty.
Also known as Momotarō · Son of a Peach
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In the sources
A miraculous beginning
DocumentedDavis places the child’s arrival inside a peach and explains his name through that origin.
A small company
DocumentedDog, monkey and pheasant join the journey; the narrative makes their cooperation part of the island’s defeat.
Context & interpretation
The account is this particular rescue narrative, including the animal companions and foster-family. Davis calls the island’s inhabitants devils; that wording is part of his translation and narrative framing. This entry follows Davis’s historical English retelling, rather than establishing a universal Japanese belief or an independently verified event.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
The Adventures of MomotaroOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: F. Hadland Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan (London: George G. Harrap, 1912), printed p. 57
Actual scanned prose page and complete named story inspected in the public Reader. Printed pagination checked visually; plate-placement numbers are not used as prose citations.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0066
- Original scan leaf
- 79
- Recorded leaf number
- 79
- Current Reader position
- 65
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
Son of a PeachOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: F. Hadland Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan (London: George G. Harrap, 1912), printed p. 58
Actual scanned prose page and complete named story inspected in the public Reader. Printed pagination checked visually; plate-placement numbers are not used as prose citations.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0067
- Original scan leaf
- 80
- Recorded leaf number
- 80
- Current Reader position
- 66
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 3
Myths and Legends of Japan
rice-cakesOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: F. Hadland Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan (London: George G. Harrap, 1912), printed p. 59
Actual scanned prose page and complete named story inspected in the public Reader. Printed pagination checked visually; plate-placement numbers are not used as prose citations.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0069
- Original scan leaf
- 83
- Recorded leaf number
- 83
- Current Reader position
- 68
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 4
Myths and Legends of Japan
a pheasantOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: F. Hadland Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan (London: George G. Harrap, 1912), printed p. 60
Actual scanned prose page and complete named story inspected in the public Reader. Printed pagination checked visually; plate-placement numbers are not used as prose citations.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0070
- Original scan leaf
- 84
- Recorded leaf number
- 84
- Current Reader position
- 69
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 5
Myths and Legends of Japan
set free the numerous prisonersOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: F. Hadland Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan (London: George G. Harrap, 1912), printed p. 61
Actual scanned prose page and complete named story inspected in the public Reader. Printed pagination checked visually; plate-placement numbers are not used as prose citations.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0071
- Original scan leaf
- 85
- Recorded leaf number
- 85
- Current Reader position
- 70
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 6
Myths and Legends of Japan
Momotaro bestowed upon themOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: F. Hadland Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan (London: George G. Harrap, 1912), printed p. 62
Actual scanned prose page and complete named story inspected in the public Reader. Printed pagination checked visually; plate-placement numbers are not used as prose citations.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0072
- Original scan leaf
- 86
- Recorded leaf number
- 86
- Current Reader position
- 71
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Dragon King of Lake Biwa
The ruler beneath Lake Biwa who seeks Hidesato's protection against a centipede in Davis's tale.
Shared source pageHidesato
The warrior portrayed in Davis's legend as the Dragon King of Lake Biwa's champion against a giant centipede.
Shared source pageInexhaustible Rice Bag
The miraculous gift associated with Hidesato's title My Lord Bag of Rice in Davis's tale.
Same subject and traditionKato Sayemon’s Renunciation
A palace resident sees jealousy as snakes in his household’s hair, becomes a monk and refuses recognition by his son in Davis’s account.