The Legend of Momotaro

[Akai-San]

I was just doing some recon on making a koi trip out to Okayama from Tokyo, when I came across one of my favorite Japanese tales, "Momotaro". Now I know where the peach reference come from...OKAYAMA (Land of the Japanese White Peaches) OISHI!!!

For those who are not familiar with this tale...Please read this outlined version.

Once upon a time there lived an old man an old woman in the country of Okayama. The old man went everyday into the mountains to cut wood, while his wife would go to the river to wash clothes. One day, while the old woman was down at the river washing clothes, a big peach came floating down the river! It looked so delicious, she decided to take it home for her and her husband to eat. When the old man came back to their home, the old woman cut the peach open, and to their surprise, there was a small boy inside! They decided to call him Momotaro, which means 'peach boy'. The old couple raised Momotaro to be big and strong. One day, he decided to go and defeat the ogres living on Ogre Island that were pillaging the land. The old woman fixed him some delicious millet dumplings, known as kibi-dango, for his long journey to the island. On the way, a monkey, a dog, and a pheasant joined him, giving them a dumpling each in return for their help in fighting the ogres.
Upon reaching the Ogre Island, Momotaro and his companions found that the gate was locked to the Ogre's fort. The pheasant flew inside, and grabbed a key to let the others in. Once inside, they fought the evil ogres. The pheasant pecked their eyes, the dog bit their legs and the monkey jumped on their backs, clawing at the beasts. Finally, the ogres cried for mercy! They gave the strong Momotaro all of their treasure, and he returned to his village triumphantly. Momotaro and the old couple lived happily ever after.

Aloha!

[koiczar]

So, do you think Maeda-san was trying to conquer the powerful koi breeders and his goal was to steal their money? LOL He sure has done some amazing things with his keito. I have one of his sanke. The beni is a little weak right now, but she grew from 12" tosai to 20" at nisai. She is now sansai at 22+". She loves to eat, so I'm sure she will do some more growing this year. I changed my feeding regimen this late winter/early spring. Feeding twice a week til the spawning season is over. Then, look out. They're getting triple the current oxygen and food during the growing season! Wish me luck!! HaHa!

Mike

[chinadna]

Momotaro

haha the story of 桃太郎 I have heard when I was a boy.

桃太郎=Momotaro .

i know a English word. Thanks.

[mitten]

Isn't the story one of alliance? That no Peach Boy can accomplish much alone. No need to be a conqueror. Ally with those who are upstanding and wait for the good that comes. I have not been to Japan nor met Mr. Maeda, but I think I would find a smart man, not a Superman.

[JasPR]

But that is not the Japanese way Mickey!
The high end breeders are very talented people, definitely entreprenurial in nature and come with very very big egos! LOls.
My bud Sakai refers to himself as ' the challenger' and often jokes about how he likes the 'horses' ( suggesting he is a gambler who by his will and his gifts, wins against stacked odds) By the way, he also jokes that he has no money because of the horses but then smiles ( as 'IF"!)

Momotaro is also a serious entrepreneur who made his fortune in the restaurant business. Sakai also owned restaurants but not near the scale or scope of Maeda.
At any rate, the pearch boy was a story of struggle and hardship against great odds but the little peach boy wins the day.
This story is not unlike the story of carp struggling against the current and steps of falling water, only to succeed and become the immortal dragon of glittering scales.

So whether struggling carp, gambler, challenger or peach boy, the lesson is clear. And it is a perfect lesson for any serious koi breeder.

JR

[Eugeneg]

I changed my feeding regimen this late winter/early spring. Feeding twice a week til the spawning season is over. Then, look out. They're getting triple the current oxygen and food during the growing season! Wish me luck!! HaHa!

Mike
Excellent to feed only twice a week till spawning is over most do not understand that . I found an article in Rinko on the subject but do not know if there is a breach of copyright to send it to the group
Regards
Eugene

[aquitori]

I dont know about peaches, but they sure as hell got some really good grapes the size of ping pong balls....SSSSWWWEEEETTTT!!!!

[dcny]

Momotar� - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[mitten]

Thanks Dan- Not unlike an American hero is he. As a kind and gentle soul it is hard for me to translate an army of a peach boy, a monkey, a dog and a boid as a jingoistic, egocentric slaughtering force. I think of no koi breeders that way (what a baby I am) but I have seen some visciousness in the biz otherwise, right here stateside.

I did think if Tony was going to post it would be with a "BBQ is the heart of the Koi world" fable. Tell it Brudda Tonio.

[dick benbow]

many moons ago I found a translated book of japanese fairy tales that i used to read to my kids growing up. The peach boy was one of their favorites.
Another involved the story of an elder couple who lived in the woods and befriended a sparrow. Great stuff...but as JR says it's all about dealing with adversity...if humpty dumpty would have only known......