Percy Jackson meets Hayao Miyazaki in this contemporary twist on a Japanese folktale, now in paperback. An Asian American boy discovers the powers that are his birthright when he goes on a quest to save his father from monsters that are wreaking havoc on the earth.
Momotaro, the brave samurai born from a peach, journeys to Ogre Island to battle the evil oni in this classic Japanese folktale. With the help of a giant dog, a clever monkey, and a courageous pheasant, the young warrior fights to rescue his family and village from plunder. But will his strength and loyalty overcome the ogres' evil powers.
One of Japan's best-loved children's stories brought to life by the extraordinary imagery of an early nineteenth-century handscroll. The amazing adventures of Momotaro, a boy found inside a peach and raised by an elderly couple, is one of Japan's most popular folktales. An exquisite handscroll painted by Kano Naganobu (1775-1828) contains one of the finest illustrated versions of the tale known today. The illustrations are reproduced in their entirety as the story follows Momotaro's journey to the terrifying Island of Ogres. After befriending a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant, Momotaro crosses the sea with his new companions and lays siege to the demons' fearsome mountain fortress. The battle is a fierce one, but Momotaro and his friends prevail; they recover the demon's ill-gotten treasure and restore it to its rightful owners. One of the first Japanese folktales to have been translated into English, the story of Momotaro is a delightful and lively voyage of the imagination that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. A lengthy postscript to the tale looks at the tradition of illustrated folk stories in Japan, with examples of Momotaro pictures and related imagery in various forms of art, including painting and woodblock printing. The career of the artist, Kano Naganobu, and the artistic climate in which he worked are also reviewed.
This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.... In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in adding such touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or as pleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incident from another version. At all times, among my friends, both young and old, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to the beautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I have also found that they were still unknown to the vast majority...
A World Heritage Storybook from Fiddlefox An old couple's world is turned upside down when Momotaro bursts out of a peach. But once the terrible Oni come to town, will Momotaro unite his friends, stand up to bullies, and save Japan? This beloved Japanese folktale is retold for young children, educators, and families, with lush illustrations inspired by Ukiyo-e art.
From the best-selling artist and YouTube art instructor, this book features step-by-step lessons that show you how to draw professional-quality portraits, landscapes, travel sketches, and animals using only two ordinary pencils. Great art doesn't have to be expensive. For the cost of a regular graphite writing pencil and an equally ordinary black colored pencil, you can create drawings worthy of framing and displaying. In this straightforward, aspiring artist's guide to rendering a variety of popular subjects with only two pencils, artist and art instructor Mark Crilley presents a direct, approachable, and achievable method for drawing just about anything. The Two-Pencil Method breaks down Crilley's techniques across six chapters of five lessons each. In each lesson, you'll learn how the two-pencil method can add depth and shading, allowing you to create bold and distinctive drawings that go beyond mere sketchbook doodles. The book moves from a primer on drawing basics to step-by-step examples of still lifes, landscapes, animals, travel sketches, and portraits. With each chapter, Crilley's confident and encouraging voice and expert insights demonstrate how to achieve stunning artistic results from the simplest of art materials.
Read Real Japanese with Free MP3s and an Anki Flashcard Deck ** Recommended for Beginners of Japanese who have mastered Hiragana and basic Japanese grammar ** Dive into one of Japan's most cherished fairy tales, "Momotaro," with a unique learning tool designed to help beginners who have mastered hiragana and basic Japanese grammar. This book isn't just a reading experience—it's a comprehensive guide to understanding and appreciating the Japanese language through folklore. What's Inside? Dual Speed MP3s: Included FREE are two sets of audio files for each story. One set is narrated at a normal speed for immersive listening, and the other at a slow speed to aid comprehension. Perfect for practicing listening skills! Detailed Line-by-Line Explanations: Every sentence is broken down, with each vocabulary word defined and explained to ensure understanding. Grammar in Context: Learn major grammatical patterns used within the stories to enhance your grasp of Japanese sentence structure. Multiple Reading Formats: Challenge yourself with different reading options - start with hiragana-only text (spaced for clarity), advance to natural Japanese (including kanji), or check your comprehension against our simple English translation. Anki Flashcard Deck: Reinforce what you learn with a downloadable flashcard deck tailored to boost retention and recall. About the Stories: Momotaro, the Peach Boy: Born from a peach, Momotaro grows into a brave hero who, along with his quirky allies, battles the menacing ogres threatening his village. The Tortoise and the Hare: Enjoy this classic tale in Japanese, providing a familiar storyline alongside new linguistic elements to learn. Why Choose This Book? Flexibility in Learning: Whether you prefer to jump straight into reading in Japanese or methodically go through vocabulary and grammar, this book offers multiple paths tailored to your learning style. Supportive Resources: Beyond the stories, the included sound files and Anki deck ensure you have all the tools needed for effective practice. Cultural Immersion: Experience authentic Japanese storytelling while learning the language—enrich your understanding of Japan's rich cultural heritage. You may want to try to read the story either in Hiragana or in natural Japanese first. Or if you are a beginner, it may be better to go through the vocabulary first using the Anki deck. Any way you do it, this book offers several ways to read, listen, and learn. Embark on a captivating learning adventure with "Momotaro: The Peach Boy". Enhance your Japanese reading and listening skills, understand grammatical concepts in context, and immerse yourself in delightful Japanese folklore! Get your copy today and start reading real Japanese through timeless stories!
Born from a peach, Momotaro uses courage, and sharing, to bring justice to his village. This beautifully illustrated, classic Japanese tale is one of adventure and the power of friends.