Momotaro and the Island of Ogres

This work was taken directly from the scrolls of Japan. The pages are covered in pictures where the narrative is along the sideline. It is apparent that this was to be a children's story. it tells an age old story of the "peach boy" found inside a peach by a couple who had no children and were very unhappy. Their boy grows up to be a great warrior who defeats the ogres on an island with the hep of his animal friends he meets along the way. The pictures are lovely. there is a nice explanation of the author and his prominence in Japan as well a discussion of the scrolls he produced.It was fun for me to read as I had never heard of it before. And I enjoyed the artwork very much. As well as the legend. There is a kind of quiet sing-songy beat to the prose that matches nicely with the tone and message of the work.

Story is traditional but illustrations used are spectacular!

What a beautiful book! I have always loved the story of Momotaro (Peach Boy) and the wonderful paintings by Kano Naganobu add another dimension to the story. It is just exquisite!

"Momotarô-san, Momotarô-sanPlease give me one of thoseMillet dumplings you're carryiing.I'd gladly give one to youIf you'll go along with meTo conquer the ogres!"Momotarô is a popular hero from Japanese folklore and the above verse is from a Japanse folk song about his famous exploits. His name literarly means Peach Tarô (Momo meaning Peach and Tarô meaning the eldest son, ergo Momotarô is often translated as Peach Boy). This is because the popular story of Momotarô, which dates from the Edo period, tells of this extraoridnary boy coming down to earth inside a large, golden peach. He is raised by his adoptive parents and grows to be stronger and wiser than his elders. Then when he is fifteen he sets off to battle the evil ogres that have been terrorizing and robbing the people of the region for such a long time."Momotarô and the Island of Ogres" is told by Stephanie Wada and follows the young hero's arrival and his upbringing by the old couple. To bring good to his parents and to other people, Momotarô decides to defeat the terrible ogres of Onigashima and begins his journey carrying some of the kibi-dango (millet dumplings) that are his favorite food. Along the way he picks up a large spotted dog, a monkey, and a pheasant who join him in his quest. The rest of the story is devoted to their journey to Onigahsima and the great battle in which they defeat the blue, red and gren ogres and return home in triumph.As interesting as the story is the big treat here are the exquisite handscroll paintings by the Japanese artist Kano Naganobu (1775-1828) that illustrate the tale. Naganobu painted in ink, colors, and gold on silk. The book's postscript explains how the original image do not exist as separate paintings or scenes, but as a pair of handscrolls. The first tells Momotarô's story till our hero and his animal friends approach Onigashima, the second illustrates the battle between Momotarô's allies and the ogres through the return home. The postcript also highlights that Naganobu's illustrations are filled with various symbols of long life and good luck (e.g., water, the peach, crane, etc.). So be prepared to go back and look at the wonderful illustrations when you have read up on what all there is to find there so you can better appreciate them the second (or third or fourth) time around.

This is a classic Japanese legend, which is told with illustrations from an old scroll. The illustrations are wonderful, and the story is a lot of fun.

It was great to read the story with the ancient silk paintings. It really gave my children a taste of Japanese culture.