21 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment removed
Apr 21, 2024
Comment removed
Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Maybe it would be more fun to watch them in the same order as you.

Expand full comment
David Perlmutter's avatar

Momotaro would be right at home in Peachland, British Columbia, which I recently visited.

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Peachland! Maybe that peach washed ashore in Japan from Canada. (^o^)

Expand full comment
Joyce's avatar

What a lovely tale and a beautiful shrine Shimizu-San

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

In fact, the original story of this fairy tale seems to have been, "An old couple ate a peach they picked up in a river, became rejuvenated, and the old woman gave birth to a baby".

Expand full comment
Ofifoto's avatar

We visited Inuyama about 8 years ago. Loved the castle, but shame we missed this shrine. Thank you for sharing the story. It sounds familiar. Was there a film adaptation?

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Actually, this shrine is not that famous even in Japan, and it seems that not many people stop by. By the way, a period drama called "Momotaro Samurai" was previously broadcast on TV, but that drama was only based on this fairy tale, so Momotaro did not appear. (^o^)

Expand full comment
David Perlmutter's avatar

The town's not on the Pacific Coast- it's in the Okanagan Valley, further to the north.

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Unfortunately, it seems that Momotaro was not Canadian. (^o^)

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

A classic story - I've never visited the shrine, so thanks for sharing the photos.

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

You're welcome. There are many other unique places in Japan besides here, so I will introduce them to you in the future.

Expand full comment
Made in DNA's avatar

I lived in Nagoya for a year in 1989. Attended 千草高等学校 as an exchange student and visited Inuyama Castle once, but I don't have any recollection of it except riding in a boat. I lived in 日進町 which I hear is now 日進市. Thanks for the photos. I should go back and visit the Inuyama area.

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

When you lived in Nagoya, I also lived in Nagoya. Maybe you and I may have crossed paths somewhere. And I now live in Nagakute City, next to Nisshin City.

Expand full comment
Gianni Simone's avatar

Wow. Imagine a Western church devoted to Little Red Riding Hood.

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Hahaha, the flexibility of the shrine is amazing.

Expand full comment
The Black Knight's avatar

This is a great tale :D

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

This tale is said to have been created around 1600.

Expand full comment
S. Uckun's avatar

Thank you for adding this fairy tale for those of us who missed it the first time. It looks like some of the statues were carved, do you know what wood was used?

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Thank you for reading my old article. All of Asano's works are made of concrete. Which photo shows the wood carving you are referring to?

Expand full comment
S. Uckun's avatar

My mistake. The pheasant looked wooden from a distance. I wasn't sure. Yes, they all look to be made of concrete. Thank you.

Expand full comment
SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

I see. You're welcome!

Expand full comment