The Japanese Story Project: “Urashima Tarō”

Translation by Kunimasa Nerome
Edited by Jenny Auld

Urashima Tarō is one of the best-known Japanese folktales, with elements dating back to the eighth century. So universally beloved is this story that many regions of Japan have produced customized versions of it to connect aspects of the legend to their home soil. The details of the different renditions vary widely, but the core story—that of a kindhearted man swept away to an underwater kingdom—remains constant.

Urashima is a fisherman who saves the life of a turtle in distress. To his amazement, not only does the turtle speak to him, but it offers the experience of a lifetime as his reward—a visit to Ryu-guu, the underwater realm of Princess Otohime. Urashima allows the turtle to lead him far from home, and the consequences of this journey are immense—and irreversible.

This richly layered, melancholy story has drawn comparisons with such disparate works as the myth of Pandora to “Rip Van Winkle,” to The Picture of Dorian Gray; however, the most lyrical passage of the current version — in which the Princess Otohime shows Urashima the four seasons mystically contained within rooms of the palace— feels like a cousin to the dream-visions of Dante and Chaucer.

Like most timeless stories, Urashima Tarō is calligraphic in its ability to convey depths of significance in a few gestures. It is, ultimately, a poignant meditation on mortality and the merciless passage of time.

Here is an excerpt from a new translation by Kunimasa Nerome available now exclusively on Legible.com!

***

Urashima went out fishing as usual. He paddled his boat far out on the ocean. After he had fished for a while, he heard a voice calling him.

“Urashima-san, Urashima-san!”

The fisherman looked around, but he couldn’t see anyone. While he sat wondering, a turtle swam up to his boat. Urashima could not hide the confusion on his face.

The turtle spoke again. “Hello! I am the turtle you saved the other day. I have come back to thank you.”

Urashima, utterly surprised, replied, “Oh, is that so? There is no need for you to thank me!”

“But I really do appreciate your kindness. Urashima-san,” said the turtle, “tell me, have you ever seen Ryu-guu — the underwater utopia — before?”

“No! I have heard of it, but I have never seen it,” replied Urashima.

“Well then! As a reward for helping me, I would like to show you Ryu-guu. What do you think?”

“Oh! — that sounds very interesting! I would like to go, but Ryu-guu is all the way at the bottom of the ocean, is it not? How do we get there? I do not think I can swim that far.”

“There is no need to worry,” said the turtle. “You can ride on my back, and I will swim there with you.” The turtle paddled around and brought its back closer to the boat. Urashima felt a little uneasy but climbed onto the turtle’s back nevertheless.

As the turtle glided away from the surface, the sound of the waves became more and more faint. Urashima felt as though he was dreaming. Down they plunged, into the depths of the pure blue ocean.

As they approached the sea floor, the water around them suddenly became brighter. They saw a great gate beyond a path of pearly white sand. Beyond the gate, they could see a tall building with a roof that shone bright with gold and silver tiles.

“Alright, we are here at Ryu-guu!” said the turtle, letting Urashima dismount from its back. “Please wait here for a moment.” The turtle swam ahead and through the gate.

***

The turtle came out a moment later and beckoned to Urashima. “Please follow me.” Urashima followed the turtle down the path as sea breams, flounders, halibut, and other fish watched him curiously.

The princess of the underwater realm, whose name was Otohime, came out to welcome him, accompanied by her lady’s maid. As Urashima followed Otohime, he gazed up and around, amazed by the vaulted agate ceiling, the coral pillars, and the corridor carved entirely of lapis lazuli. Making his way cautiously, he began to smell something delicious and heard strains of cheerful music. Soon, they arrived at a great hall with crystal walls, which sparkled with countless jeweled ornaments.

“Welcome, Urashima-san,” said the princess. “Thank you so much for saving our dear turtle’s life. We cannot offer you much, but please stay and enjoy yourself as long as you like.”

Presently, an array of delectable foods was brought before Urashima, carried by various sea creatures big and small. A parade of skipjacks, puffer fish, shrimp, and octopi, led by a sea bream, brought a multitude of exotic dishes, and a lively party started. Beautiful lady’s maids began singing and dancing. Urashima felt as though he was lost in an exquisite dream.

After the banquet, Otohime showed Urashima more of her splendid castle. Every room was decorated with rare gemstones. The sheer beauty of everything was beyond the power of words to explain.

Finally, one sight remained for Urashima to see.

“I would like to show you The Chambers of the Four Seasons,” said Otohime.

She opened a door on the east, and it was Spring. The air was sweet and misty, and the ground was covered by cherry blossoms, just like ones from a beautiful painting. There was a willow tree of vivid green; birds were chirping and butterflies were flying inside the curtain of its branches.

She opened a door on the south, and it was Summer. Unohana bloomed on a wall, and cicadas were singing in the vibrant green trees. Lotus flowers, red and white, were in full bloom in a pond, with crystal-like water droplets upon their leaves. Little waves lapped the edge of the pond, and ducks were floating, gently swayed by the waves.

Next, she opened a door on the west, and it was Autumn. Now appeared gardens full of chrysanthemums, both yellow and white, filling the air with a beautiful fragrance. Beyond the garden stood a grove of maple trees with bright red leaves, the colour of fire. From the foggy distance, Urashima could hear the mournful barking of deer.

At last, Otohime opened a door on the north, and it was Winter. Fallen leaves lay all around, sparkling in their coats of frost. A thick layer of snow rested on the land as far as the eye could see, from the mountainside down into the nearby valley. Urashima could see people in the distance making fires for warmth and the thin smoke rising quietly.

Urashima was stunned by everything he saw. He gradually started feeling as if he was drunk. He began to forget his old life completely.

Kunimasa Nerome ( 根路銘 国真 ) was born and raised in Okinawa (沖縄), Japan. He is in his fourth year of study in political science at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. He loves bicycles, raccoons, and ramen, not necessarily in that order.

Jenny Auld was born in Vancouver, Canada. She has an honours degree in linguistics from UBC, with a specialization in the history and structure of the English language. She has written and edited for various publications and is also an exhibiting artist, with three solo shows at Art Sui Gallery in Taipei, Taiwan. She likes ginger milk tea, riding her bike, and watching way too many Korean dramas.

Kimiko Fraser is an illustrator and historian-in-training. She grew up constantly making — drawing, painting, knitting, sculpting, bookbinding, etc.—and has never learned how to stop. She is the illustrator of Her Courage Rises: 50 Trailblazing Women of British Columbia and the Yukon.