Yuriwaka: On the Possible Route of the Story’s Transmission
Yuriwaka: On the Possible Route of the Story’s Transmission

Summary/Abstract: Central Asian Alpomish and the Japanese story about Yuriwaka not only share remarkable motive similarities, but also demonstrate a parallel in the sequence in which the motifs occur within the plot. In both stories the hero, who left his land to fight an enemy, returns home after years of seclusion only to find his family being harassed by traitors. His appearance has changed beyond recognition, which is why no one, even his loyal servant, can recognize him. For a time he observes what has occurred during his absence, finally revealing his identity by stringing his distinctive bow,punishing the traitors and reuniting with his family.The current paper explores the possibility of mutual influence between Alpomish and Yuriwaka, applying the principles of the hypothesis of diffusion of folk tales. Based on the results of the comparative research and analysis of Alpomish, Yuriwaka, and two stories, the Odyssey and The Tale about Good Prince and Bad Prince, which have long been considered to be possible sources for the Yuriwaka story in Japan, the paper proposes a new hypothesis on the origin of Yuriwaka and the possible route of the story’s transmission.

• Details
• Contents