Japanese legends, Davis retelling
Tamate-Bako
Otohime gives Urashima a box as a keepsake and asks him never to open it. After finding that centuries have passed at home, he hopes the gift might reveal a way back to her. A white cloud escapes when he opens it, and he abruptly becomes an old man.
Also known as Box of the Jewel Hand · Urashima's Casket
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In the sources
A keepsake with a prohibition
TraditionalOtohime gives the Tamate-Bako in remembrance of their love. Urashima promises to keep it closed before leaving on the tortoise.
The hoped-for path becoming a transformation
TraditionalUnable to return to his wife, Urashima opens the box. The cloud moves out over the sea and he becomes old and wrinkled before dying on the shore.
Context & interpretation
The casket is a narrative object in Davis's popular version of the Urashima legend, not an authenticated device for preserving youth or altering time. The passage's later report of a displayed casket is attributed to Chamberlain and is not independently authenticated here. The contents and consequences remain those of this retelling.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
She explained that he was on no account to open the boxOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Home-coming of Urashima, printed p. 327
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0355
- Original scan leaf
- 387
- Recorded leaf number
- 387
- Current Reader position
- 354
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
Suddenly there rushed out a little white cloudOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Home-coming of Urashima, printed p. 328
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0356
- Original scan leaf
- 388
- Recorded leaf number
- 388
- Current Reader position
- 355
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Urashima's Home-coming
The return in which Urashima discovers that three days in the Sea King's country were three centuries at home.
Same subject and traditionDeath-Stone
The haunted stone on Nasu moor that contains a fox spirit in Davis's retelling.
Same subject and traditionGrass-Cleaving Sword
The sword given to Yamato that cuts a path through burning grass.
Same subject and traditionTreasure Ship
The New Year vessel of the Gods of Luck and its fortunate cargo.