Momotaro; or, Little Peachling Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 1

"Momotaro; or, Little Peachling" by Anonymous is a classic Japanese fairy tale written during the late 19th century. This engaging story is part of a broader tradition of folklore and children’s literature, focusing on themes of bravery, adventure, and friendship. The tale introduces readers to the eponymous hero, Momotaro, who embarks on a quest to confront the forces of evil represented by devils on a distant island. In the story, Momotaro, a boy born from a giant peach found by an old couple, grows strong and determined to defeat the devilish beings who have been troubling his homeland. He gathers companions—a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant—by sharing his dumplings with them. Together, they journey to the island of the devils, where Momotaro bravely battles the chief devil, Akandoji. After a fierce struggle, Momotaro overcomes him, claiming the riches of the devils and returning home as a hero, celebrated and enriched by his adventure. This tale encapsulates the values of cooperation, courage, and the joy of returning home after a successful quest. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Anonymous works are works, such as art or literature, that have an anonymous, undisclosed, or unknown creator or author. In the case of very old works, the author's name may simply be lost over the course of history and time. There are a number of reasons anonymous works arise.