Let's read a folktale in Japanese! Introducing "Kintaro"! | blog

Hello everyone.

Recently, the spring sun has been warm and pleasant.

It's still cold at night, but by day it's warm enough that you can wear short sleeves.

The pollen is still there and I still have runny noses and itchy eyes.

Are you all okay with the pollen yet?

Well, there are about 3 months left until the JLPT in July!!

Many of you are probably already preparing for the exam.

We would be happy to help you with your Japanese language studies.

So this time, I would like to introduce the Japanese folk tale "Kintaro."

Please use this to practice your reading.

"Kintaro"

Once upon a time, there was a lively boy named Kintaro who lived in the mountains.

I live with my kind mother.

Kintaro always wore the red belly coat his mother had made for him, and played with the animals in the mountains or worked carrying an axe (a tool similar to that used to cut wood).

Rabbits, monkeys, deer...all the animals in the mountains are Kintaro's friends.

Kintaro: "Okay, today we're going to have sumo!"

Ready, set, go, there's one left!!!

Rabbit: "Oh no, I lost!"

Kintaro: "Now, let's race to the bottom of that big tree!"

Ready, set, go!!!

Monkey: "Kintaro is number one again!"

Rabbit: "Wow, that's amazing! Kintaro always wins!"

Monkey: "That's true. No one can beat Kintaro!"

Kintaro was strong and kind, so he was popular with everyone.

Every day, after playing with the animals, Kintaro has to go to work.

When they cut down wood with a large axe and bring it home, their kind mother welcomes them back.

Mother: "Welcome back. Thank you for today. How was the sumo today?"

Kintaro: "Of course I got first place!"

Mother: "Kintaro is so strong! But you have to be kind to your friends."

Kintaro: "Yes! I know, Mom!"

One day,

Shika: "Hey, Kintaro! Why don't we all go up to the mountain over there? I hear there are some delicious grapes there!"

Kintaro: "Oh! That's great! Okay, let's go!"

Kintaro and all the animals decided to go to the mountain over there to eat grapes.

Then,

Monkey: "Oh no, the bridge is broken. I can't get across."

Rabbit: "That's true! There was a bridge here just the other day!"

Shika: "It must have been blown away by the typhoon the other day. What should I do...?"

Kintaro: "Then let's cut down this tree and build a bridge!"

Kintaro pushed the big tree by himself.

Kintaro: "Here we go, here we go!"

Animals: "Do your best! Kintaro! Just a little more!"

Kintaro: "Hmmmm!!! Okay!"

THUD!!!

A large tree fell and a bridge was made.

Kintaro: "Come on, everyone, cross!"

The animals cross the wooden bridge one after another.

But, oh no! The rabbit at the very back loses his footing and almost falls off the bridge.

Kintaro: "Hey! Are you okay, Usagi?"

Kintaro immediately ran over and saved the rabbit.

Rabbit: "Thank you, Kintaro! Without you, things would have been terrible!"

And so Kintaro and the animals arrived at the mountain of grapes.

However, while he was busy eating the grapes, he suddenly found himself in front of the rowdy bear.

Bear: "Grrr! What are you doing on my mountain?!"

Rabbit: "Ahhhh! I'm going to be eaten!"

Shika: "That bear has been coming to our mountain recently and causing trouble. It's a dangerous bear."

Monkey: "Let's run away, Kintaro!"

But Kintaro doesn't run away.

Kintaro: "Hey, Bear! I won't allow you to cause trouble on our mountain! Challenge me to a sumo match!"

Bear: "You want to challenge me to a sumo match? Great! I'll do it!"

The animals watched over Kintaro anxiously.

Ready, set, go, there's one left, there's one left!

Bang bang bang!

Kintaro: "Ahhh!!"

Kintaro picked up a bear that was bigger than himself and threw it with all his might.

Bear: "Oh no, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!"

Kintaro gently reached out to the bear and helped him up after he had fallen.

Kintaro: "Kuma-kun, from now on, don't play tricks on us, come and play with us!"

Bear: "What?! Will you be my friend?"

Kintaro: "Of course!"

So Kintaro took his new bear friend and returned to the mountain where his mother was waiting.

Many years later, when Kintaro grew up, he went out into the town and became a fine samurai named Sakata Kintoki .

What did you think of this story?

It was a story about a strong hero. Kintaro was not only strong, but also had a very kind personality, so he had many friends. He was the perfect example of a child.

This blog introduces folk tales from various countries, but it seems that Japanese folk tales have become popular recently, so I'm introducing a lot of Japanese stories!

Just as the word "sumo" appears in this "Kintaro" story, Japanese folk tales contain a lot of Japanese culture, so I hope you will enjoy learning about Japanese culture and the Japanese language while also having fun.

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