Japanese Folk Tale

Propitious Births 5
2. Rikitaro
A shiftless old man and old woman made a doll from their bodily
sweat and grime. They called him Konbitaro. He was a big eater and
grew fast. He asked for a 100 kan metal rod to be made and set out
with it to, learn feats of strength. Along the way he met Midokoseoi
carrying a portable shrine on his back and Ishikotaro, who was splitting
stones. He matched strength with them and won. They became his
followers. They arrived at a castle town. Although it was daytime, all
the doors were closed and there was no sign of anyone. A beautiful
girl was weeping alone in the house of what appeared to be the foremost
choja in town. When they asked why she was crying, she said
that on the first day of each month a monster came to carry off a
young girl. She was crying because it was her turn this time. Konbitaro
said he would destroy the monster for her. He hid her in a chest
and waited on guard with his two companions.
The monster came at night and swallowed Midokoseoi and Ishikotaro
in a twinkling. When Konbitaro set upon him with his 100 kan
rod, he twisted it in the middle. The monster received a mortal wound
as they grappled. It blew Midokoseoi and Ishikotaro from its nostrils
and expired. The people of the family were overjoyed. They invited
the three young men to remain and marry their daughters. Konbitaro
sent for his parents and they all lived a life of ease.
Iwate, Waga-gun
Aomori, Hachinohe: MK II 2 30, "Rikitaro." See entry for "Momotaro."
Iwate, Hienuki-gun: MK I 5 24, "Konbitaro."
Waga-gun: MK II 3 41, "Konbitaro." Example.
Esashi-gun: Kikimimi 80, "The three strong men" (Sannin no dairiki).
Ishikawa: Kaga 105, "A variant of the Momotaro story." (Momotaro no
itan). See entry for "Momotar6."
Further reference:
Chosen mintan shu 258.
3. Urikohimeko
Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman. He
went to the mountains to cut wood and she went to the stream to do
her washing. One day while the old woman was washing at the stream,
a melon came floating down. She picked it up and took it home. When
she and her old man opened it a beautiful little girl came out. They
called her Urikohime [Melon Maid] and took loving care of her. After
she grew bigger, she wove at the loom every day. One year the old