A story from Japan about a girl and a bowl!

This episode needs a trigger warning, as it does mention that the child’s parents die at the beginning. But don’t worry, she makes it in the end.

I used to tell this story quite a bit, but stopped for some reason. I really like it, so I began to revisit the story. Here it is for your benefit and enjoyment, I hope. I am sure as I tell it more and more it will change over time. Already I am thinking about the ending! Stories are never finished!

The tale comes from Japan, and in some later versions there is a step-mother, and the girl is a princess, but in the older versions, there is no step-mother, and the girl is a girl, neither rich nor poor. Well, to start with!

In case you are interested in this sort of thing, here are my sources so you can find this all out for yourself.

Hachikazuki hime was first written in the Muromachi period (14th-16th centuries).An akahon (red book) with many drawings for children was published in the middle of the Edo period (18th century, circa 1735-45) by Urokogataya. You can find this on-line.

Mrs. T. H. James, The Wooden Bowl, Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 16 (public domain)

Davis, Frederick Hadland; Paul, Evelyn. Myths & legends of Japan

Lang, Andrew. The Violet Fairy Book

Tale type: 510C

Have a wonderful winter holiday, however you celebrate it, and be safe on your travels, if traveling about (and don’t forget to take a few of my albums in the car with you, too)!

Peace,

Simon