【Urashima Taro】 Classic Japanese Folktale

“Urashima Taro” is a beloved Japanese folktale that intertwines themes of morality, wonder, and the irrevocable passage of time.

The story unfolds around Urashima Taro, a kind-hearted fisherman who, after saving a turtle, finds himself in an extraordinary underwater world.

However, the allure of home eventually pulls him back, leading to an unexpected twist.

Japanese Title: Urashima Taro / 浦島太郎、うらしまたろう
Translation: Urashima Taro and the Dragon Palace
Location: Kyoto Prefecture / 京都府　の昔話

Contents

The Story of “Urashima Taro”

Once upon a time, there lived a young man named Urashima Taro who made his living by fishing.

One day, after selling his catch and receiving a little bit of money, he came across five or six children on the beach tormenting a captured turtle by flipping it over and hitting it.

Feeling sorry for the turtle, Urashima said, “Give me the turtle, I will pay you for it.”

Hearing this, the children agreed, “If you give us money, we’ll give you the turtle.” They then took off, leaving Urashima with the turtle.

“Don’t ever return to this beach, turtle,” he told the creature before releasing it into the sea from the edge of the surf.

Time passed, and one day, while Urashima was out fishing in his small boat, a large turtle appeared.

“Urashima, please ride on my back. You helped me before.”

Following the turtle’s instructions, Urashima hopped onto its back with only his fishing rod in hand. Smoothly swimming through the waves, before he realized it, they had reached the underwater palace known as the Dragon Palace.

Upon their arrival, graceful princesses akin to Princess Otohime welcomed Urashima, fluttering flags in their hands and saying, “Welcome, dear guest.”

They then guided him through the many rooms of the Dragon Palace, serving him a succession of rare delicacies. Thrilled, Urashima stayed there for several days.

“Urashima, let me show you some wonderful scenery today. Please, follow me.”

Guided by the princess who was the most respected in the palace, she creaked open a door. Beyond it was spring, with blooming plum and cherry blossoms.

In no time at all, peaches, Japanese roses, and rhododendrons were also blooming, filling the air with their fragrance. White and yellow butterflies fluttered in, and crowds of people were merrily dancing at the flower-viewing party.

“Who would’ve thought such a wondrous garden could exist in the Dragon Palace at the bottom of the sea?”

While Urashima was fully taken in by the scene, the princess opened another door, revealing summer. A refreshing breeze was blowing across the vibrant greenery, with water lilies and lotuses blooming in the pond.

As dusk fell, colorful lanterns lit up, and a procession for the Bon dance festival approached. Entertained, Urashima joined the procession and danced along.

“Please come this way. There’s something more interesting to show you.”

The princess pulled Urashima’s hand and opened the third door to reveal autumn. Suddenly, festival music filled the air, with numerous children carrying a portable shrine. Looking into the distance, silver grass swayed, and a full moon hung over the mountains.

“Ah, the Dragon Palace is full of surprises.”

“Indeed. Now, please look at this,” she said, opening the fourth door.

Expecting winter, Urashima peeped in to find a true winter scene with plenty of bright red nandina fruits and accumulated snow. Sparrows and small birds flitted about, and the yellow blossoms of winter aconite began to bloom where the snow had melted. Already, plum and kobushi magnolia buds were swelling.

After the tour, a feast was served along with delicious sake, and the young princesses encouraged him, “Please, eat and drink as much as you like.”

In this way, Urashima lost track of time. But no matter how enjoyable his days were, every night he would think of his village by the beach. He wondered about what his fellow fishermen were up to, and whether the old lady next door was still healthy. Eventually, he longed to return home and told the princess about his feelings.

“I want to go home for a while.”

“But why? We could be even happier together, so please stay here.”

“No, I really want to go back.”

“If that’s the case, I have to give you a souvenir. I will bring it now.”

The princess brought a box from the back and said, “This tamatebako (mystic treasure box) contains our happiness. Never open it.”

“If you tell me not to open it, I won’t.”

Upon receiving the tamatebako, the princess transformed into a large turtle. Holding his fishing rod in his left hand and the tamatebako in his right, Urashima rode the turtle’s back and smoothly returned to his original beach.

When he landed, everything, including his house and boat, had changed and he could not recognize anything. Looking around in confusion, he noticed an old man with a beard repairing a net nearby. Urashima approached and asked him,

“Do you know of a man named Urashima Taro? His house should be around here.”

“Well, in my great-grandfather’s time, there was a man named Urashima Taro who went fishing and never returned. I don’t know what happened to him afterwards. Only a stone wall of Urashima Taro’s house remains.”

Shocked, Urashima said, “It shouldn’t be that long ago.” He went to the site of his former house, but only the stone wall was left, and nothing else but wild grass.

Walking around the village, he couldn’t recognize anyone.

Feeling lonely, Urashima sat down on the sandy beach and unintentionally untied the string of the tamatebako. The moment he opened the lid, a white smoke rose, and Urashima transformed into an old man with white hair and eyebrows.

Notes of “Urashima Taro”

Cultural Background

Concept & Theme

The tale beautifully presents the concept of ‘Mono no Aware’, a key aesthetic principle in Japanese culture, which deals with the transient, ephemeral nature of beauty, the passing of time, and the consequent sense of gentle sadness.

The Festivals

The references to the seasons and the various festivals (flower-viewing, Bon dance) reflect the Japanese cultural tradition of appreciating and celebrating the changing seasons. It adds a vivid imagery and familiarity for the Japanese readers.