CHANGE AND CONTINITY OF MOMOTARÔ

This paper examines the major thematic elements, or motifs, that allow the folktale Momotarô (The Peach Boy) 桃太郎to undergo changes in plot and usage as it moves from the oral tradition to nationalist literature. My research traces written motifs from a variety of classical and medieval documents to the emergence of Momotarô during the Muromachi period (1392-1573) 室町時代. I identify and compare these motifs within different versions of the tale to determine its change and continuity up through World War II. The paper groups the various versions of Momotarô chronologically into four time periods, researching the social, political, economic, and artistic histories of each to determine what overarching influences change or maintain plot and other details in the story. At the same time, I identify changes in political and social climate. By connecting this popular folktale with its origins, we gain a greater understanding of Momotarô's importance in Japanese history and culture. While the story has received recent modest attention in Japanese studies due to its usage in World War II propaganda, an exploration of the tale's development is lacking. This paper seeks to shine some light on the growth of Momotarô and how it became the most recognized folktale in Japan