Urashima Taro

… Otogi-zoshi were meant to be read, told, and enjoyed. At the end of Bunsho-zoshi and Yahyoe-nezumi, it is suggested that they should be read as "the beginning of auspicious events," at the end of Urashima Taro there is a reference to a deeply committed husband and wife, and at the end of Fuji-no-hito-ana the merits of those who listen to or read the story are emphasized. These are notable passages that concretely show the impressions of the narrator and audience, and the functions of Otogi-zoshi other than their literary nature. It is also urgent to investigate the origin of the word "togi" (traditional Japanese word), and to investigate the actual situation of picture houses and picture story houses. …

*Some of the terminology that refers to "Urashima Taro" is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…　御伽草子は，読むものであると同時に語るものであり，また見て楽しむものでもあった。《文正草子》や《弥兵衛鼠（やひようえねずみ）》の末尾に〈めでたいことのはじめ〉に読むがよいとか，《浦島太郎》の末尾に夫婦男女の契り深い例についてふれてあったり，《富士の人穴》の末尾に草子を聞く人また読む人の功徳を強調しているなどは，語り手や聴衆のおもかげや，御伽草子のもつ文学性以外の機能などを具体的に示す部分として注目してよい。〈トギ(伽)〉の語源の追求や，絵屋，絵草子屋の実態究明も急務とすべきである。…

※「《浦島太郎》」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報