Popular Japanese Folklore

Aside from having contents and morals that are similar to legends, Japanese folklore can include other forms of literature such as folktales, songs and proverbs. This form of literature genuinely reflects the native beliefs of the Japanese, including those related to legendary animals, interaction between spirits and humans, the divine world, and even ordinary interaction among humans.

Among the notable folktales of Japanese origin are “The Two Frogs”, “The Stonecutter”, “The Sparrow with the Slipt Tongue”, “The Cat’s Elopement”, “The Crab and the Monkey (Sarukani Kassen)”, “The Slaying of Tanuki”, “The Young Man Who Slept for Three Years (Sannen Netaro)”, and “The Mirror of Matsuyama”. Currently, there are folktales that have been bolstered by accompanying animations, provide excellent references for children. These include “Sannen Netaro”, “Momotaro”, “Sarukani Kassen”, “Issun-boshi”, “Kintaro”, and the very famous tale of “Urashima Taro”.