The Folk Take using in Japanese Modern Literature: Focus on Momotarou, Demon and the Followers in Meiji and Taishou Period's Literature

Abstract

The aims of this research are to study the changing of Momotarou, Demon, and the followers’ character and the roll of the folk tale through Meiji and Taishou period’s literature by focus on Momotarou, Demon, and the followers’ character in “Momotarou” Folk tale using short story for 8 stories between 1891 to 1924, which is “Onimomotarou” by Osaki Kouyou, “Imamomotrou” and “Nihongodaibanashi” by Kyou No Warabei, “Momotarouzokuhanashi” by Iwaya Sazanami, “Momotarou” by Kusuyama Masao, “Momotarou” by Sakai Toshihiko, “Momotarou” by Matsumura Takeo, “Momotarou” by Akutagawa Ryuunosuke. Through this research have found that the changing of Momotarou, Demon, and the followers’ character can be separated into 3 period, which is 1) Last of Meiji period, almost adding the story in the last part and add or cut of the characters or making the new characters. 2) First and Middle of Taishou period, almost using the same story of the folk tale but change or add more details of the character. 3) Last of Taishou period, found the additional of first part and last part of the folk tale story and also changing the character opposite of the folk tale story. Though this study, Researcher found that the folk tale were changing the story for make the story more funny, show the history on those period or the human habit.