Japanese Horror Stories
Kintaro
Kintaro ( ⁇ Kintaro) is a Japanese folklore character in the form of a super-strong boy. He was described as a healthy boy wearing a red vest bearing the kanji ⁇ (gold) script. In his hand, Kintaro carries an axe (masakari) propped to his shoulder. He is also sometimes depicted riding a bear.
Kintaro's story is associated with the celebration of boys' day in Japan. Kintaro is the theme of a five-month doll ( ⁇ gogatsu ningyo) that is on display to celebrate Children's Day. Parents who display Kintaro dolls hope that their son grows up as healthy, strong, and brave as Kintaro. In addition, Kintaro is often depicted riding koi fish on koinobori.
Kintaro's story is said to have originated from the childhood story of a samurai named Sakata Kintoki ( ⁇ or ⁇ ) from the Heian period. According to legend, his mother was a Yama-uba (woman of the mountain, or yamamba) who became pregnant as a result of the actions of the lightning god Raijin. Another story says, his mother gave birth to a baby Kintaro from the results of his relationship with a red dragon.
Legend
Kintaro with his mother, a painting by Kitagawa Utamaro
Kintaro was raised by his mother in his hometown of Mount Ashigara. Kintaro grew up as a strong child, but was friendly and devoted to his mother. Once big, Kintaro wrestles sumo against a bear on Mount Ashigara.
Kintaro met Minamoto no Yorimitsu at the summit of Mount Ashigara on April 28, 976. Yorimitsu takes Kintaro as his follower after learning of Kintaro's extraordinary physical strength. After his name was changed to Sakata Kintoki, he served in Kyoto, and became one of Yorimitsu's 4 bodyguards called the Shitenno group. The other three were Watanabe no Tsuna, Urabe no Suekase, and Usui Sadamitsu. Shitenno's group is mentioned in the classical literature Konjaku Monogatari which was published about 100 years after the death of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. All three of his colleagues are certain to have existed, but Sakata Kintoki could never be proven to exist.[1]
On April 28, 990, Kintoki succeeded in expelling an oni named Shuten Doji who lived in Mount Oe, Tamba Province (now Fukuchiyama city, Kyoto Prefecture). Shuten Doji needs to be removed because getting into the city wreaks havoc. While facing Shuten Doji, Yorimitsu and his four bodyguards (including Kintoki) disguised themselves as Yamabushi monks. Shuten Doji was conquered with sake mixed with sleeping pills.
On January 11, 1012, Sakata Kintoki, 55, died in Mimasaka (now the city of Shou, Okayama Prefecture) from high heat. At that time, Kintoki was on his way to Kyushu to crush the rebels. The locals made him a role model, and erected a temple for him (now called Kurigara Temple).
Kintaro is said to have originated from the childhood story of a samurai named Sakata Kintoki (? ) From the Heian period. According to legend, she was a Yama-uba (woman of the mountain, or yamamba ) who was pregnant because of the lightning god Raijin. Another story says, let the baby be born.
