Momotaro ("peach boy") is a hero from Japanese folklore. His tale is extremely popular in Japan.

According to the present form of the tale (dating to the Edo Period), Momotaro came to earth inside a giant peach, which was found floating down a river by an old, childless woman who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband discovered the child when they tried to open the peach to eat it. The child explained that he had been sent by Heaven to be their son. The couple named him Momotaro, "Peach Boy".

Years later, Momotaro left his parents for an island called Onigashima to destroy the marauding oni (demons or ogres) that had taken up residence there. En route, Momotaro met and befriended a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his quest. At the island, Momotaro and his animal friends penetrated the demons' fort and beat the demons into surrendering. Momotaro returned home with his new friends, and his family lived comfortably from then on.

Momotaro is strongly associated with Okayama, and his tale may have its origins there. The demon island of the story is sometimes associated with Mega-jima Island due to the vast manmade caverns found on that island.

See also

• Urashima Taro
• Kintaro

• Superman

External links

• Another English-language version of the tale