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Kintaro (the Golden Boy), a MythSource painting
Japanese

Kintaro (the Golden Boy)

01Identity

Kintaro (the Golden Boy) in Japanese tradition

The source begins Kintaro’s story in the Ashigara Mountains, where his widowed mother raises him after the death of his father, Kintoki. The boy grows with extraordinary strength and makes the animals of the forest his companions. In one demonstration, he pulls up a tree to bridge a river so they can cross. General Sadamitsu, disguised as a woodcutter while searching for strong recruits, sees what Kintaro can do and invites him to serve Lord Raiko.

Ozaki’s English retelling follows Kintaro from this secluded childhood into public heroism. He joins Raiko’s band, becomes its chief, and is sent against a cannibal monster that frightens the region. After killing it, he returns with its head and finally fulfills his promise to build a comfortable home for his mother. The tale makes strength meaningful through companionship, a mother’s care, and the boy’s later loyalty.

SourceJapanese fairy tales: Yei Theodora Ozaki, “Golden Boy” / “The Adventures of Kintaro,” Japanese Fairy Tales

Top questions

The quick answers

02The names

The names Kintaro (the Golden Boy) answers to

Golden Boy

title used for Kintaro in this story

SourceJapanese fairy tales

03The myths

The myths of Kintaro (the Golden Boy)

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Kintaro Joins Raiko’s Four Braves

Kintaro is born in the Ashigara Mountains after his father Kintoki dies and his mother flees the court. He grows strong enough to cut trees and later pulls one from a riverbank to make a bridge for his animal companions. General Sadamitsu, disguised as a woodcutter while looking for promising boys to train, follows Kintaro home. Earlier, Kintaro had set his animal friends to wrestling and given rice dumplings to the winners; he watched rather than competing, because he knew he was stronger. At home, Sadamitsu tests Kintaro’s arm, then reveals that he serves Lord Minamoto-no-Raiko and offers to take the boy to the capital. Kintaro and his mother agree. The animals follow him to the mountain’s foot to say goodbye, and Kintaro promises to build his mother a home once he becomes a knight. Raiko accepts him into his service. As Kintaro grows up, Raiko makes him chief of the Four Braves, a select band of warriors.

When word arrives that a cannibal monster has made its home nearby and frightened the people, Raiko sends Kintaro to confront it. Kintaro is eager for the chance to fight. He surprises the monster in its den and cuts off its head, then carries it back to Raiko. The story says that his deed makes him the greatest hero in the country and brings him honour and wealth. He also remembers his promise to his mother: he builds a comfortable home for her, where she lives with him in the capital until the end of her days. Ozaki’s tale ends with this fulfilled promise, connecting the boy’s strength and public success to the care he returns to his mother.

Kintaro Joins Raiko’s Four Braves, a MythSource painting of the scene