Fudoki (風土記) are ancient records concerning the old provinces of Japan. These records being ordered by Empress Genmei in 713AD.¹

Surviving Examples

The most substantial ones which have survived at the Bungo Fudoki, Harima Fudoki, Hitachi Fudoki, Hizen Fudoki and Izumo Fudoki, with the Izumo version the only one to retain its original form.

Other provincial records have survived to the modern day, though they are in fragmentary form. These are known as fudoki itsubun and there are around 100 fragments.

Collectively all of the above are called kofudoki (古風土記 – Old Fudoki) to differentiate them from modern day fudoki.

Content and Storage

In 713 governors of all provinces ordered to make a survery and record of the products, animals, plants, land conditions, name etymologies and oral traditions in their province, which was to be submitted to court.

It is thought the land survey was for taxation, whereas etymologies and oral traditions were to prepare for the compilation of the nihongi.

Local governmens kept the originals or drafts of these documents.

In 925AD the government asked for these original documents to be resubmitted, and so we find that the second time these documents were brought together some of their information found its was into the Engi Shiki.

In some of the fudoki itsubun there are possible prototypes of Urashima Tarō and Hagoromo. ²

Harima Fudoki

• • Contains extra details found no where else of Nomi no Sukune’s life.³

Hitachi Fudoki

• • Contains the exploits of Yamato Takeru.⁴

Izumo Fudoki

• • Compiled by Miyake no Omi Kanatari and Izumo no Omi Hiroshima it consists of 11 Chapters in total. Originally compiled in 733AD.
  • Two complete myths can be found in this document found nowhere else. The Land Pulling Myth and Imaro and the Wani.
  • The document talks of a possible vine known as the ‘frosty kurodazura’ (霜黒葛) however no known modern equivelant is known.⁵

Tango Fudoki

• • Contains early versions of Urashima Taro.¹

Unknown Fudoki

This serves to list information that is said to come from these documents.Though I do not know yet which particular document it is.

• • The North-West face of Kyushu is called Toyo (Abundance) inhabited by Toyohiwake, was named as such by Emperor Keiko after seeing the abundance of yams growing here.⁶
  • A shrine to Ōyamatsumi is mentioned in Shikoku, which is apparently where he made land fall during the reign of Nintoku after crossing over the ocean from Paekche.⁶
  • Chikanoshima received its name from Emperor Keiko after its proximity to the Kyushu.⁶
  • Kamimusuhi has several shrines listed to him in Izumo Province.⁶
  • Kumanokusubi has a shrine listed to him Izumo.⁶
  • It is said a shrine existed named after the mountain pass of Ifuya Pass.⁶

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
3. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
4. Littleton. C.S. (1995) “Yamato-takeru: An Arthurian Hero in Japanese Tradition”. Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 54, No.2, pp.259-274.
5. Carlqvist, A. (2010) “The Land Pulling Myth and Some Aspects of Historical Reality”. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, Vol. 37, No.2, pp.185-222.
6. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Currently this page will aim to serve as a place to gather the different Dragons on the website.

Further down the line we will change this page to include the imagery and culture behind them in Japan.

Currently we have the following Dragons listed on the site:

Yamato no Orochi

• • For more information see: Yamata no Orochi

Yamata no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ, also 八岐大蛇 , 八俣遠呂智 or 八俣遠呂知, 大蛇) was a giant serpentine Dragon mentioned in the Shinto Mythologies in association with Susano-o. The Dragon and Susano-o can be found in old texts such as the Kojiki and Nihongi.¹²

The appearance of the Dragon in the Nihongi states that it had an eight forked head and tail, red eyes, and upon its back grew firs and cyprus trees. The body was so long it filled eight valleys and covered eight hills.¹ The Kojiki states the beast came from Koshi Province and had eyes like red cherries, eight heads and tails, with a body the length of eight hills and valleys; covered with cypress trees. Additionally it says that blood oozed out its stomach constantly.²

Dragon Kings

• • The Dragon King of Lake Biwa – Dwelling in Lake Biwa he is seen in the Folktale My Lord Bag of Rice. He is described as having red hair, a crown in the shape of a dragon’s head and a sea-green dress patterned with shells.³
  • The Dragon King of the Sea (Ryūjin) – Father of Otohime Sama, living in Ryūgū-jō. He is seen in the Folktale Urashima Tarō the Fisher Lad.³

Yokai

• • • A yōkai known as the Shokuin is depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi.⁴

Others

• • An Unnamed Dragon – We see this Dragon included in the tale of the The Shinansha.³

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “Japanese Fairy Tales” USA: Cavalier Classics.
4. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.

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Tango Fudoki

Tango Fudoki (丹後国風土記) is an eight century provincial record of the Province of Tango. You can find the tale of Urashima Taro inside of it,¹ in the Tango Fudoki version Urashima given the name Shima no Ko.²

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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The Tamatebako (玉手箱, Jewel Hand Box) is a gift given to Urashima Tarō by Otohime Sama in the Folktale, Urashima Tarō the Fisher Lad, after he remembers his parents and wished to return to them.

The box is described as being made of laquer tied with a silken cord with tassels of red silk.

Urashima asks what is inside and is told it is something precious, and that he must promise to never ever open it. He agrees.

Returning home he finds 300 years have passed and opens the box in dismay to see 3 purple wisps of cloud rising from inside.

He suddenyl grows very old from this and dies, hinting that the precious thing inside was Urashima aging process so he did not die whilst spending time with Otohime Sama.¹

Footnotes

1. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “The Japanese Fairy Book”. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd.

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Here follows a list of Japanese Folktales (昔話) currently on our website. There will be more over time, so please bear with us for the time being.

Festivals

• Ōtoshi no Kyaku. The New Years Eve Visitor. A collection of tales around mysterious New Years visitors who will give great gifts.

Grateful Creature Motif

• The Bewitched Tea-Kettle (分福茶釜 or 文福茶釜) A grateful Tanuki performs for the man who saved him, making him very wealthy.
• My Lord Bag of Rice (俵藤太) The story or Fujiwara Hidesato and the killing of the Giant Centipede Seta at the behest of The Dragon King.
• The Tongue Cut Sparrow (舌切り雀) The story of an old man and his cruel wife who cuts the tongue out of a Sparrow as she grows jealous of how her husband feels about the bird.
• Urashima Taro the Fisher Lad (浦島 太郎) The story of Urashima Tarō who saves a turtle and marries the Daughter of the The Dragon King.

Hero/Heroine Motif

• The Clever Boar and Monkey. An old monkey who was going to be killed saves his life by saving a kidnapped baby.
• Momotarō. Folktale about a man with the same name, as well as a Dog, Monkey and Pheasant and their journey to the island of Onigashima to stop the Oni.
• Princess Glory. A lonely old couple find a baby in a Bamboo Grove and raise her. She later is revealed as The Immortal Lady of Mount Fuji.

Longlife

• Longevity. Story of an old man who wished to live forever.

Mourning

• The Mirror of Matsuyama. A girl missing her mum, thinks she can find her by looking in a mirror.

Punishment Motif

• Kachi-Kachi Yama (かちかち山) Also known as The Farmer and the Badger. The story of a Rabbit seeking revenge on a Badger for killing an old woman.
• The Monkey and the Crab. The son of a crab who was killed by his apparent friend the Monkey gets revenge on his fathers murderer.

Sacrifice Motif

• Shippeitaro – Story of the Dog Shippeitaro and the Warrior who save a maiden from being sacrificed.

Unfinished Business Motif

• Banchō Sarayashiki – Okiku is killed after breaking one of ten heirloom plates, and thrown down a well. Her ghost returns each night trying to count and find the tenth plate she broke.

Yōkai Motif

• Hagoromo (羽衣) Story of a celestial nymph who is forced to marry a fisherman.
• How an Old Man Lost is Wen – Story of a man who dances for some Oni and tricks them into taking the wen growing on his face.
• Rashōmon no oni. Story of an Oni  who is fought by Watanabe no Tsuna.
• The Melon Princess (瓜子姫) Story of a childless couple, who find a melon floating down river. Upon cutting it open a baby girl is found inside.
• The Nightingale’s Coin. A man is gifted with a ‘never ending’ coin after looking after a woman house for one year, without open a ‘forbidden door.’ Later, another man comes hoping for the same reward, but opens this forbidden door.
• The Oni of Adachigahara. A monk seeks shelter in an old womans home only to find out she is an Oni.
• Shōjōji no Tanuki Bayashi. The story of a group of Tanuki and their wild drum parties.

Tales of China

• The Elixir of Life. Story of a Chinese Emperor who believes the Elixir of Life is on Mount Fuji.
• The Shinansha. The story of Emperor Kotei killing the rebel Shiyu after inventing The Shinansha (Artefact).
• The Stone of the Five Colours and the Empress Jokwa. Empress Jokwa saves her country.

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Ryūjin

Ryūjin or Ryōjin (龍神) is the Dragon King of the Sea.

He is mentioned in the tale Urashima Taro the Fisher Lad but not seen.¹

Footnotes

1. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “The Japanese Fairy Book”. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd.

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• • For the member of the Imperial Family see: Otohime
• • Family: Ryūjin (father) Urashima Tarō (husband)

Otohime Sama

Otohime Sama (乙姫) was the daughter and Princess of Ryūjin noted in the Folktale Urashima Taro the Fisher Lad. She is described as having lovely black hair fashioned in the style of hundreds of years ago, her voice was like music over water.

As a tortoise she is being tortured by some children until Urashima Tarō saves her. Returning the next day she offers to take him to Ryūgū-jō under the sea, where she then reveals her true identity,the daughter of Ryūjin, a Dragon. Marrying Urashima for saving her.

When he wishes to return home she gives him a box name tamate-bako (Box of the Jewel Hand) telling him to never open it.¹

Footnotes

1. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “The Japanese Fairy Book”. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd.

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Ryūgū-jō

Ryūgū-jō (竜宮城, 龍宮城) is the home of Ryūjin the Dragon King of the Sea, mentioned in the tale Urashima Taro the Fisher Lad.

The place is described as having a magnificent gate, with sloping roofs. The servants of the palace are fish.

The rest of the building is built with coral and adorned with pearls, the beauty so great it cannot be described. There is a beautiful garden for every season. The south garden having trees of summer, the west trees in autumn. The ground of the north garden is white with snow, with the east full of plum and cherry blossom.¹

Footnotes

1. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “The Japanese Fairy Book”. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd.

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• Occupation: Fisherman
• Family: Otohime Sama (wife)

Urashima Tarō

Urashima Tarō (浦島 太郎) is known from the Folktale Urashima Taro the Fisher Lad.

Origins

The earliest versions of this Folktale appear in the Tango Fudoki where the character of Urashima is given the name Shima no Ko.¹

Folktales Synopsis

Urashima was a young fisherman, his father a fisherman before him. He saves a tortoise from some boys, setting it free. The next day the tortoise returns asking to show him the Dragon King’s Palace in the Sea.

The tortoise takes him, revealing when they arrive that she is the Princess (Otohime Sama) of The Dragon King of the Sea and will marry him for saving her life. Eventually, Urashima wishes to return home and she tries to get him to stay, but fails. As a leaving gift, she gives him a box called tamate-bako (Box of the Jewel Hand). He returns home to find 300 years have passed. In sadness he goes to the beach and opens the box thinking it will return him to his wife, but the thing inside only ages him, killing him there on the beach.²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “The Japanese Fairy Book”. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd.

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Hear this tale on Episode 65 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• See also: List of Folktales

Urashima Tarō the Fisher Lad

Urashima Tarō the Fisher Lad (浦島 太郎) is a Folktale about Urashima Taro and a Tortoise.

Origins

The earliest versions of this Folktale appear in the Tango Fudoki where the character of Urashima is given the name Shima no Ko.¹

Synopsis

One day Urashima Tarō on his way home discovers some children abusing a tortoise. The children not wanting to stop torturing it would only cease their antics when he offered to buy the tortoise from them.

He then placed it back into the ocean and watched it swim away.

The next day, he went out fishing and heard his name being called out at sea. He turned to see the tortoise in the water beside his boat.

He asks the tortoise onboard to dry, the tortoise then asking Urashima if he has ever been to the Dragon King’s Palace in the Sea. Climbing on his back the tortoise she takes him to the palace.

Arriving at the Palace he is welcomed, the tortoise revealing herself to be the Daughter of the King of the Sea. She reveals her name to be Otohime Sama and as he saved her life she will marry him, meaning he can live in the Palace with her.

After what he believes is a few days he says he must leave, as his elderly parents will be worried for him. Upset she tries to get him to stay but sadly fails to do so. As a departing gift she gives him a lacquer box called a ‘tamate-bako‘ (Box of the Jewel Hand).

Tied with a silken cord and tassels of red silk, he is told to never open it. He returns to shore, however, though the landscape is the same the people are not. Urashima returns home, his parents not there and asking a stranger where they are they reveal to him 300 years have passed. In his sadness he goes to the shore, opening the box thinking it will return him to his wife. However, a purple cloud comes out of the box, aging him vastly causing him to die.²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Ozaki, Y.T. (1903) “The Japanese Fairy Book”. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd.

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