Variants[edit]
There are a few variants to the story, depending on geographical region. Some say Momotaro floated by in a box, a white peach, or a red peach. Stories from Shikoku and Chugoku region muddy the distinction with characters from another folk story, the Monkey-Crab Battle that Momotaro took with him allies to Oni Island, namely a bee (蜂 hachi?), a crab (蟹 kani?), a mill stone (臼 usu?), a chestnut (栗 kuri?), and cow dung (牛の糞 ushi no fun?).[4] In old days, all these animals and objects were believed to possess spirits and could move by their own will.[citation needed]
There are variances about the Momotaro’s process of growth; one is that he grew up to meet the expectation of the old couple to be a fine boy. Another is that he grew up to be a strong but lazy person who just sleeps all day and does not do anything. It is possible that the Momotaro being a fine boy version is more famous to give lessons to children. Nowadays, Momotaro is one of the most famous characters in Japan, as an ideal model for young kids for his kind-heartedness, bravery, power, and care for his parents.
Grown up, Momotaro goes on his journey to defeat the demons (oni) when he hears about the demons of the Onigashima (demon island). In some versions of the story, Momotaro volunteered to go help the people by repelling the demons, but in some stories he was forced by the townspeople or others to go on journey. However, all the stories describe Momotaro defeating the Oni and live happily ever after with the old couple.