One of the most popular Japanese tales is that of Urashima Taro [浦島太郎]. There is even a statue of this character in the city of Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture. This is the story of a kind young fisherman who one day disappeared, and when he returned, nothing was as it was before. So, you can feel that here comes a story.
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The Story of Urashima Taro
A long time ago, there lived on the coast of Japan in a small fishing village a young man named Urashima Taro. He came from a family of fishermen and was considered the best in the region. But besides being a good fisherman, he was also known as a very kind person.
Throughout his life, Urashima Taro had never hurt anyone. He also lived and cared for his elderly mother with much love and attention. But one day, while walking along the beach, he saw some children beating and tormenting a turtle.
Quickly, Taro asked the children to stop mistreating that poor turtle. After this intervention, the boys left. Taro picked up the turtle, petted it, and took it back to the sea.
The next day, Taro was back to his routine as a fisherman. But while he was at sea fishing, he heard a voice calling his name. Startled and not knowing whose voice it was, he looked in all directions. To his surprise, the voice was that of the turtle he had saved the day before.
The turtle thanked the young man very much for saving her, and for that, she invited him to see the Dragon King’s Palace of the Sea. Taro had heard of this place, but had never seen the palace. Even though it was a tempting invitation, the young man was a bit reluctant to go, as he didn’t want to leave his mother for too long.
But the turtle assured him that they wouldn’t take long and that he would soon be back. Taro became excited and very happy and soon accepted the turtle’s invitation. He then climbed onto the turtle’s back, and together they headed towards the palace.
THE PALACE and the princess OTOHIME
After some time traveling across the sea, they spotted the Dragon Palace, which shone like gold and silver. When they arrived, they were attended to by fish. Then, from inside the palace emerged a beautiful princess named Otohime. She was more beautiful than anyone the young man had ever seen. Her voice sounded like a beautiful song in the sea.
The princess thanked Taro for saving her, as she was that turtle. Therefore, she invited him to enjoy all the privileges of the palace as much as he wanted. Upon entering, the young man was attracted by the vast variety of food and drink he could enjoy. Taro also heard from the princess that she would be his bride if he wanted.
Otohime [乙姫] is one of the most beautiful daughters of the Dragon God Ryujin. She is also the grandmother of Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan. Ryujin [龍神] is a Dragon god who lives in the ocean and appears in various Japanese myths.
This tale took place in the underwater palace called Ryūgū-jō, where the tide jewels called kanju, used to control the tides, were found.
A difficult decision
There were so many wonders in that place that Taro forgot about his life, his village, and his family. Only after three days did he come to his senses and remember who he really was and everything he had left behind.
Even living a wonderful life in the palace, young Taro knew that the most important thing was his family, so he decided to return to his normal life. The princess, knowing of this decision, begged him to stay.
Seeing that the young man would not change his decision, she gifted him a beautiful box, Tamate-Bako (jewelry box), tied with a silk cord.
Before he left, the princess said that even though it was a very precious gift, Taro could not open that box under any circumstances. The young man promised never to open it. Then, after saying their goodbyes, the young fisherman left on a great turtle.
Urashima Taro Back Home
After some time traveling, Urashima Taro arrived at the shores of the beach he knew so well. As he stepped on the sand, the turtle that had taken him immediately returned. But something was different. The people passing by were completely different from those he knew.
Even confused, he ran towards his old house. But upon arriving, a completely strange man came out of the house. When he questioned the man, Taro discovered that he was the owner of the house.
The young man introduced himself and tried to explain that he had lived in that house until days ago. The man said he had heard stories about a certain Urashima Taro and the former residents of that house. But that these stories were from over 300 years ago.
Taro was completely confused and didn’t know what to do. He realized that the few days he spent in the palace were hundreds of years in the “real world.” His parents had already died, and all the people he knew were gone too.
The only thing left to him was the box that the princess had given him as a gift. Since he had lost everything he needed, he decided to open the box. Upon opening it, he noticed there was nothing inside, only smoke rising over him.
Urashima Taro, who until then was a young man, suddenly began to grow old. His back bent, his hair turned white, and his body filled with wrinkles. Soon, Taro fell dead on the beach.
Lessons from the story of Urashima Taro
The Japanese tell this story to demonstrate the importance of not wasting time on trivial things, such as entertainment. Another lesson is to live each moment of life giving due value to our family.
Because Taro was disobedient to the princess’s request, the story also shows the importance of being obedient to the wiser. For disobedience is the beginning of all kinds of sadness and misery in life.
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