金太郎Kintaro

About this story

A supernaturally strong boy named Kintaro grows up in the mountains and tames wild animals.

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Source

This text comes from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), the volunteer-run library of Japanese writing that is out of copyright. See this work on Aozora Bunko

Base edition (底本): 「日本の神話と十大昔話」講談社学術文庫、講談社
1983（昭和58）年5月10日第1刷発行
1992（平成4）年4月20日第14刷発行

Typed in by 鈴木厚司. Proofread by 大久保ゆう.

Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.

The furigana are Yomimaru's. In the app it is split into 4 parts.

What you'll learn

Kintaro, a supernaturally strong boy living in the mountains, defeats a bear and gathers animal followers. He plays sumo with them and shares rice balls as rewards.

Kintaro uses his super strength to make a bridge from a large tree, impressing a woodcutter who turns out to be the retainer Usui no Sadamitsu. Sadamitsu offers to take Kintaro to the capital to become a samurai for Minamoto no Yorimitsu, which Kintaro and his mother accept.

Key vocabulary

金太郎きんたろう	Kintaro (the main character's name)
山やまうば	mountain witch (Kintaro's mother)
まさかり	broad axe (traditional Japanese axe)
家来けらい	retainer, follower
四天王してんのう	Four Heavenly Kings (title for four retainers of Minamoto no Yorimitsu)

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regret. Used here as 'ended up doing' or 'completely did'.

  金太郎きんたろうはおしまいにじれったくなって、からだを一いち振ふりうんと振ふりますと、うさぎも猿さるも鹿しかも熊くまもみんないっぺんにごろごろ、ごろごろ土俵どひょうの外そとにころげ出だしてしまいました。

• ～と言って N5Used to quote speech. Means 'said that...' or 'saying...'.

  熊くまは目めを光ひからせながら、「だれだ、おれの森もりをあらすのは。」と言いって、とびかかって来きました。

• ～てあげる N4Do something for someone (benefactive). Used when giving a favor.

  「どうぞわたくしも御ご家来けらいにして下ください。」と言いいました。金太郎きんたろうは、「よし、よし。」とうなずいて、みんな家来けらいにしてやりました。

Cultural notes

• Kintaro: The Strong BoyKintaro is a beloved figure in Japanese folklore, often depicted as a supernaturally strong child with a red face and carrying a large axe. His story is a classic example of a 'hero's journey' from rural origins to a prestigious position in the capital.
• The Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennou)The Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennou) were a group of legendary retainers who served Minamoto no Yorimitsu, a famous general of the Heian period. Each was known for their martial prowess and loyalty, and they appear in many tales and legends.

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