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Japanese Fairy Tales

Traditional Japanese stories — from Momotaro to Kaguya-hime.

100 stories in this collection

A CENTURY OF ROMAN CHRISTIANITY

A CENTURY OF ROMAN CHRISTIANITY

2 minhistorical accountmoral justice
A WARRIOR’S HELPERS

A WARRIOR’S HELPERS

3 minfairy talehappy
Unity and cooperation among diverse individuals are essential for achieving a common goal, especiall...
A bambuszlányka

A bambuszlányka

4 minfairy talebittersweet
A levágott nyelvű veréb

A levágott nyelvű veréb

3 minfairy talemoral justice
Kindness is rewarded, while cruelty and greed lead to ruin.
A nyulacska és a krokodil

A nyulacska és a krokodil

5 minfairy talemoral justice | happy
Deception and pride lead to suffering, while honesty and humility can bring redemption and kindness.
A szamuráj szerencséje

A szamuráj szerencséje

6 minfairy talehappy
Even the smallest, most insignificant beginning can lead to great fortune through patience, kindness...
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14 minnullnull
Az ezerlábú szörnyeteg

Az ezerlábú szörnyeteg

4 minfairy talehappy
True courage and selflessness are rewarded with lasting prosperity and blessings.
Az ostoba Tempó.[2)](#Footnote2)

Az ostoba Tempó.[2)](#Footnote2)

4 minfairy taletragic
Blindly following instructions without understanding context or intent can lead to disastrous conseq...
BATTLE OF THE MONKEY AND THE CRAB

BATTLE OF THE MONKEY AND THE CRAB

3 minfolk talemoral justice
Greed and treachery will eventually lead to severe consequences, often through the cunning of the wr...
BENKEI AND THE BELL

BENKEI AND THE BELL

6 minfolk talemoral justice
Even the strongest will cannot force a sacred object to betray its true home and purpose.
Barackfia, Momotaro

Barackfia, Momotaro

4 minfairy talehappy
Bravery and loyalty are rewarded with happiness and prosperity.
Battle of the Monkey and the Crab

Battle of the Monkey and the Crab

3 minfolk talemoral justice
Greed and treachery will eventually lead to your downfall, often at the hands of those you wronged.
Belohnte Kindesliebe

Belohnte Kindesliebe

4 minfolk talehappy
Filial love and devotion can be divinely rewarded, bringing prosperity and healing.
CESPEDES, THE CHRISTIAN CHAPLAIN

CESPEDES, THE CHRISTIAN CHAPLAIN

5 minfolk taletragic
null
CHIN-CHIN KOBAKAMA

CHIN-CHIN KOBAKAMA

4 minfairy talemoral justice
Laziness can lead to unexpected and frightening consequences, and it is important to take responsibi...
CHŌ-SEN: A PROVINCE OF JAPAN

CHŌ-SEN: A PROVINCE OF JAPAN

23 minfolk talehopeful
CONFUCIANISM IN ITS PHILOSOPHICAL FORM

CONFUCIANISM IN ITS PHILOSOPHICAL FORM

2 minphilosophical essaymoral justice | affirmation
Right conduct, aligned with eternal verities and fulfilling one's destiny, is paramount for societal...
COREA A JAPANESE PROTECTORATE

COREA A JAPANESE PROTECTORATE

16 minfolk talemoral justice
A nation's independence and prosperity depend on the patriotism, industry, and unity of its ruling c...
Chin-Chin Kobakama

Chin-Chin Kobakama

4 minfairy talemoral justice
Laziness can lead to unexpected and frightening consequences, and it's important to take responsibil...
DAIKOKU AND THE ONI

DAIKOKU AND THE ONI

3 minfolk talemoral justice
Even the mightiest powers may fail against the ingenuity of the seemingly weak, leading to unexpecte...
DIPLOMACY AT KIŌTO AND PEKING

DIPLOMACY AT KIŌTO AND PEKING

9 minhistorical accounttragic | cyclical
null
Der Abt des Klosters Yakushi

Der Abt des Klosters Yakushi

2 minfolk talemoral justice
Even the smallest transgression, if unacknowledged and unrectified, can have dire consequences, and ...
Der Affe und der Sake.[1](#noteaffe1)

Der Affe und der Sake.[1](#noteaffe1)

3 minfablemoral justice
Greed and lack of self-control can lead to one's downfall, even when aware of the danger.
Der Hase und der Dachs

Der Hase und der Dachs

9 minfolk talemoral justice
Envy and malice ultimately lead to one's own downfall and destruction.
Der Sperling mit abgeschnittener Zunge

Der Sperling mit abgeschnittener Zunge

8 minfairy talemoral justice
Kindness is rewarded, while cruelty and greed lead to suffering and eventual transformation.
Der bedächtige Reiher

Der bedächtige Reiher

1 minfablemoral justice
Overthinking and indecision can lead to missed opportunities and regret.
Der bestrafte Tierquäler

Der bestrafte Tierquäler

2 minfablemoral justice
Cruelty to animals, especially driven by greed, will inevitably lead to a just and severe punishment...
Der kluge Hase

Der kluge Hase

11 minfairy talemoral justice
Even the most cunning traps can be overcome by superior wit and quick thinking.
Der schlaue Polizist.[1](#notepolizist1)

Der schlaue Polizist.[1](#notepolizist1)

5 minfolk talemoral justice
True cleverness lies in understanding the rules and finding ingenious ways to circumvent them.
Die Auster

Die Auster

2 minfabletragic
One should never feel completely safe or close one's eyes to danger, as perceived security can be a ...
Die Kröte von Osaka

Die Kröte von Osaka

3 minfablemoral justice
Often, false judgments are made because one does not use their eyes correctly or understand their ow...
Die Wünsche des Steinhauers

Die Wünsche des Steinhauers

6 minfairy talemoral justice
True contentment comes from accepting one's place and appreciating what one has, as there is always ...
Die geplagte Krabbe

Die geplagte Krabbe

9 minfairy talemoral justice
Evil deeds always find their reward, and even the smallest creatures should not be underestimated as...
ELŐHANG

ELŐHANG

2 minfolk talecyclical
EPOCH OF THE THREE KINGDOMS.—HIAKSAI

EPOCH OF THE THREE KINGDOMS.—HIAKSAI

10 minfolk talebittersweet
EVENTS LEADING TO THE JAPANESE INVASION

EVENTS LEADING TO THE JAPANESE INVASION

13 minhistorical accountcyclical
FAYS OF WATER, WOOD, AND MEADOW

FAYS OF WATER, WOOD, AND MEADOW

21 minfairy talemoral justice
FIRST MONTH

FIRST MONTH

12 minfolk talecyclical
FISHSAVE

FISHSAVE

3 minfairy talehappy
The bond between parent and child is indissoluble and can overcome any obstacle.
HASHNU THE STONECUTTER

HASHNU THE STONECUTTER

5 minfolk talehappy
True strength and contentment come from accepting one's own place and purpose in the world.
HOW AN OLD MAN LOST HIS WEN

HOW AN OLD MAN LOST HIS WEN

23 minfairy talehappy
Sometimes, what seems like a misfortune can lead to unexpected good fortune, especially when one emb...
HOW THE JELLY-FISH LOST ITS SHELL

HOW THE JELLY-FISH LOST ITS SHELL

10 minfairy talemoral justice
Betraying a secret, especially one that harms another, will lead to severe consequences.
HOW THE SUN GODDESS WAS ENTICED OUT OF HER CAVE

HOW THE SUN GODDESS WAS ENTICED OUT OF HER CAVE

3 minmythhappy
Necessity is the mother of invention, leading to the creation of many beneficial arts and customs.
Horaisan.[1](#notehoraisan1)

Horaisan.[1](#notehoraisan1)

11 minfolk talemoral justice
True happiness and fulfillment are found not in eternal, effortless bliss, but in purposeful work an...
Hotaru.[1](#notehotaru1)

Hotaru.[1](#notehotaru1)

4 minfairy talemoral justice
Be careful what you wish for, as your demands may lead to unintended and tragic consequences for oth...
How the wicked Tanuki was punished

How the wicked Tanuki was punished

5 minfairy talemoral justice
Greed and betrayal ultimately lead to one's own downfall, and justice, even if harsh, will prevail.
Hökköm törpe

Hökköm törpe

5 minfairy talehappy
Even the smallest and most ridiculed among us can achieve greatness and find happiness through coura...
IHMEELLINEN TEEKEITTIÖ

IHMEELLINEN TEEKEITTIÖ

4 minfairy talehappy
Treating others with kindness and respect, even the unusual, can bring unexpected fortune and happin...
INTERNAL POLITICS: CHINESE AND JAPANESE

INTERNAL POLITICS: CHINESE AND JAPANESE

25 minfolk talecyclical
Inhalts-Verzeichnis

Inhalts-Verzeichnis

13 minnull
JAPAN AND COREA

JAPAN AND COREA

20 minfolk talemoral justice
JAPAN AND RUSSIA IN CONFLICT

JAPAN AND RUSSIA IN CONFLICT

23 minfolk talemoral justice
JAPANESE

JAPANESE

296 minfairy taletragic
Love can transcend even death, but duty and fate often dictate our paths.
JAPANESE BUDDHISM IN ITS MISSIONARY DEVELOPMENT

JAPANESE BUDDHISM IN ITS MISSIONARY DEVELOPMENT

2 minnullnull
JAPANESE FAIRY TALE SERIES

JAPANESE FAIRY TALE SERIES

2 minfairy talemoral justice
JAPANESE FAIRY TALE SERIES. No. 3

JAPANESE FAIRY TALE SERIES. No. 3

16 minfairy talemoral justice
Cruelty and greed will eventually lead to a just and severe retribution.
JIRAIYA, OR THE MAGIC FROG

JIRAIYA, OR THE MAGIC FROG

10 minfolk talehappy
Even those who start on a path of wrongdoing can find redemption and use their powers for good, espe...
Juki-onna.[1](#notejuki1)

Juki-onna.[1](#notejuki1)

11 minfairy talebittersweet
Promises, especially those made under duress, carry significant weight and their breach can lead to ...
KAI RIU O, THE DRAGON KING OF THE WORLD UNDER THE SEA

KAI RIU O, THE DRAGON KING OF THE WORLD UNDER THE SEA

5 minlegendhappy
KALASTAJAPOIKA URASHIMA

KALASTAJAPOIKA URASHIMA

5 minfairy taletragic
Disobedience to warnings can lead to irreversible loss and tragic consequences.
KINTARO, OR THE WILD BABY

KINTARO, OR THE WILD BABY

3 minfolk talehappy
KIYOHIME, OR THE POWER OF LOVE

KIYOHIME, OR THE POWER OF LOVE

9 minfolk taletragic
The destructive power of unchecked passion and the dire consequences of breaking promises, especiall...
L'unique parapluie

L'unique parapluie

6 minfolk talemoral justice
Sometimes, the simplest explanation for unusual behavior is the most practical one, not vanity or ma...
LITTLE PEACHLING

LITTLE PEACHLING

3 minfairy talehappy
With courage and loyal companions, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome, leading to g...
LITTLE SILVER'S DREAM OF THE SHOJI

LITTLE SILVER'S DREAM OF THE SHOJI

6 minfairy talemoral justice
Excessive drinking leads to the loss of health, happiness, and property, and superstitions are often...
LORD CUTTLE-FISH GIVES A CONCERT

LORD CUTTLE-FISH GIVES A CONCERT

10 minfairy talehappy
La Vengeance du Lièvre

La Vengeance du Lièvre

18 minfairy talemoral justice
The cycle of vengeance can be broken by an act of profound forgiveness and generosity, leading to la...
La petite Voleuse

La petite Voleuse

7 minfairy taleambiguous
Null
Le Moineau sans langue

Le Moineau sans langue

5 minfairy talemoral justice
Greed leads to ruin, while kindness is rewarded. Or, as stated in the story: when a graceful sparrow...
Le monstre Yatama

Le monstre Yatama

10 minmythhappy
Even powerful beings must face consequences for their actions, but can find redemption through coura...
Le vase de Kompéito

Le vase de Kompéito

5 minfolk talehappy
Sometimes, the simplest solution to a problem is overlooked due to a lack of clear thinking or an un...
Les aventures de Benké

Les aventures de Benké

13 minfolk talemoral justice
Even the strongest and most unruly individuals can find their purpose and master when confronted by ...
Les deux loupes

Les deux loupes

4 minfairy talemoral justice
If you don't know how to dance, never go into the forest on the evening when the goblins gather.
List geht über Gewalt.[1](#notelist1)

List geht über Gewalt.[1](#notelist1)

3 minfablemoral justice
Cunning and intelligence can overcome brute force, and those who prioritize their base desires over ...
MOMOTARO, OR LITTLE PEACHLING

MOMOTARO, OR LITTLE PEACHLING

3 minfairy talehappy
With courage and the help of loyal companions, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome.
MOMOTARO, OR THE STORY OF THE SON OF A PEACH

MOMOTARO, OR THE STORY OF THE SON OF A PEACH

29 minfairy talehappy
With courage, determination, and the help of loyal companions, even the most formidable evils can be...
MY LORD BAG OF RICE

MY LORD BAG OF RICE

25 minfairy talehappy
Good deeds are rewarded, while greed and wickedness lead to misfortune and punishment.
Maorigashima.[1](#notemaori1)

Maorigashima.[1](#notemaori1)

4 minfolk talemoral justice
Those who mock divine warnings and succumb to vice will face destruction, while the righteous will b...
Motikatika

Motikatika

107 minfairy talehappy
Honesty and resourcefulness can lead to unexpected fortune and respect.
NORTHERN BUDDHISM IN ITS DOCTRINAL EVOLUTIONS

NORTHERN BUDDHISM IN ITS DOCTRINAL EVOLUTIONS

2 minnullnull
Neid bringt Leid

Neid bringt Leid

6 minfairy talemoral justice
Envy and greed lead to suffering and ruin, while kindness and generosity bring blessings.
Ourashima Taro et la Déesse de l'Océan

Ourashima Taro et la Déesse de l'Océan

12 minfairy taletragic
Be careful what you wish for, and respect warnings, as the consequences of curiosity can be irrevers...
PEACH-PRINCE, AND THE TREASURE ISLAND

PEACH-PRINCE, AND THE TREASURE ISLAND

6 minfairy talehappy
With courage, kindness, and loyal companions, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome.
PRIMITIVE FAITH: RELIGION BEFORE BOOKS

PRIMITIVE FAITH: RELIGION BEFORE BOOKS

2 minessaymoral justice
PUSS GEIKO AND HER TRAVELS

PUSS GEIKO AND HER TRAVELS

10 minfairy taletragic
Prejudice and unkindness towards those who are different can lead to tragic outcomes, and cultural m...
RAIKO AND THE SHI-TEN DOJI

RAIKO AND THE SHI-TEN DOJI

7 minfolk talemoral justice
Evil, no matter how powerful, can be overcome by cunning and bravery.
RIYŌBU, OR MIXED BUDDHISM

RIYŌBU, OR MIXED BUDDHISM

2 minfolk talemoral justice
Religious and philosophical systems often adapt and blend with existing beliefs when introduced to n...
Rai-taro.[1](#noteraitaro1)

Rai-taro.[1](#noteraitaro1)

7 minfolk talebittersweet
Even the most fearsome forces of nature can bring unexpected blessings and fulfill long-held desires...
SECOND SIGHT

SECOND SIGHT

3 minfolk talemoral justice
Prudence and foresight can secure one's future, even through unconventional means.
SEVEN SCENES OF CHILD-LIFE IN JAPAN

SEVEN SCENES OF CHILD-LIFE IN JAPAN

9 minfolk talehappy
SHINTŌ: MYTHS AND RITUAL

SHINTŌ: MYTHS AND RITUAL

2 minmythhopeful
The gods bless and protect Japan, and their love is evident in the land.
SMELLS AND JINGLES

SMELLS AND JINGLES

2 minfolk talemoral justice
One cannot expect something for nothing, and cleverness can be met with equal cleverness.
Schippeitaro

Schippeitaro

17 minfairy talehappy
Loyalty and courage will ultimately be rewarded, and evil deeds will be exposed and punished.
Schlauheit schützt nicht vor

Schlauheit schützt nicht vor

2 minfabletragic
Even the cleverest can be deceived by their own assumptions and suffer the consequences.
TARTALOM-MUTATÓ

TARTALOM-MUTATÓ

3 minfolk talemoral justice
The story provided is a table of contents for a collection of Japanese folk tales, not a single stor...
THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEAKETTLE

THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEAKETTLE

3 minfolk talehappy
What one person discards as troublesome, another may find valuable and bring them great fortune.
THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEAKETTLE

THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEAKETTLE

3 minfolk talehappy
Sometimes, what seems like a nuisance can turn out to be a great fortune if handled with ingenuity.
THE ADVENTURES OF KINTARO, THE GOLDEN BOY

THE ADVENTURES OF KINTARO, THE GOLDEN BOY

27 minfairy talehappy
True strength and kindness are rewarded, while malice and jealousy lead to downfall.
THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE PEACHLING

THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE PEACHLING

3 minfairy talehappy
With courage, kindness, and loyal companions, even the greatest challenges can be overcome.

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