#Storytelling

The Fountain of Youth: A Japanese Folktale of Desire and Innocence “The Old Woman Who Became a Baby”

Discover the Japanese folktale "The Old Woman Who Became a Baby." A story about the Fountain of Youth, the consequences of greed, and cultural lessons on moderation.

2025.11.29

Japanese Folktale Series

“The Snow That Hides Footprints”: A Heartbreaking Tale of Beauty and Separation

Discover "Atokakushi no Yuki," a haunting Japanese folktale about a snow woman's sacrifice. Explore the cultural meaning behind the spring snow that hides tragedy.

2025.11.28

Japanese Folktale Series

[Japanese Folktale] Ushikata to Yamanba: A Battle of Wits in the Silent Mountains

Discover the chilling Japanese folktale "Ushikata to Yamanba." A cattleman faces a mountain witch in a battle of wits. Explore the cultural meaning of the Mackerel Road and Yokai legends.

2025.11.25

Japanese Folktale Series

Walking along the ancient roads of Japan, you may occasionally come across weathered stone monuments or old, decaying shrines. These are not merely ruins; they are fragments of memories where people once confronted “something beyond human understanding.”

Discover the thrilling Japanese folktale of "Sarugami Taiji" (Shippeitaro). A story of a brave dog, a terrifying monkey god, and the legend of human sacrifice in ancient Japan. Read the full analysis.

2025.11.21

Japanese Folktale Series

Winter in Japan is a season of breathtaking beauty, but also of ruthless severity. Buried deep within the snowy mountain villages lie stories of silence and sorrow. Today, I would like to introduce a Japanese folktale that symbolizes the deep “compassion” and “love” found in the Japanese soul: “The Tale of the Futon” (also known as “Futon Kabuse” or “The Poor Birds”). This story may differ from the happy-ending fairytales you are used to. However, within it lies the true essence of Japan.

Discover the heartbreaking Japanese folktale "The Tale of the Futon." A story of poverty, sibling love, and transformation into birds that reveals the deep spirituality and history of Japan.

2025.11.19

Japanese Folktale Series

[Japanese Folktale] The Mystery of the Char: A Desperate Cry from the River Guardian

Discover the haunting Japanese folktale "Iwana no Kai" (The Mystery of the Char). A story about a giant fish, a mysterious monk, and the consequences of greed in the deep mountains of Japan. Explore the cultural meaning behind this legend.

2025.11.17

Japanese Folktale Series

Outwitting a Monster with a Single Word: The Japanese Trickster Tale of “Tanokyu”

Discover "Tanokyu," a Japanese folktale about an actor who outwits a giant serpent by pretending to be a Tanuki (raccoon dog). Explore its meaning, the role of the Tanuki in Japanese culture, and the art of the "trickster tale."

2025.11.15

Japanese Folktale Series

Title: The Kappa’s Rain Prayer: A Japanese Folktale Where a Promise to the “Other” Brings a Miracle

Explore the Japanese folktale "Kappa no Amagoi." Discover how an act of kindness towards a mythical water spirit (Kappa) saved a village from drought, and what this story reveals about Japan's culture of animism and coexistence.

2025.11.10

Japanese Folktale Series

【Japanese Folktale Series】The Black Dragon of Oonuma

Explore the Japanese folktale "The Black Dragon of Oonuma." Discover a story of drought, sacrifice, and the profound Shinto belief in nature's voice. What can we learn from the dragon's message?

2025.11.09

Japanese Folktale Series

Zatō no Ki (The Blind Man’s Tree): The Japanese Folktale Where a Father’s “Curse” Became Golden Treasure

Discover "Zatō no Ki," a bizarre Japanese folktale about a lazy son, a final message commanding suicide, and the hidden treasure that reveals a father's deep love.

2025.11.04

Japanese Folktale Series