New Kamishibai Story Cards

Kamishibai is the traditional Japanese tradition of story-telling through the use of large picture cards.

The One-Inch Boy
An old, childless couple prays for a child. A one-inch son, who never grows any taller, is born to them, and his parents care for him tenderly. Despite his size, when he reaches maturity, Issun-boshi goes out into the world to prove himself. He does not retreat from difficult situations, but uses his knowledge and strength of character to prevail.


Momotaro, the Peach Boy
A baby is found inside a peach by an old couple and grows into a boy of amazing strength. With the help of a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, he rescues his village from ogres.




The Little Crab
A little crab is allowed to go out alone in the ocean for the first time, but is warned by his mother not to use his claws mischievously. The little crab's adventures begin when he disobeys his mother and end when he helps others. The themes of this story are personal responsibility and the importance of choosing to use one's abilities to be helpful, not harmful.


The Old Man and the Fox
In traditional Japanese folklore, the fox is a magically empowered trickster animal. It often asumes the shape of a woman. In this story, an old man happens upon a peacefully sleeping fox. The old man decides to play a trick on him but ends up learning a lesson himself! This comical, safely scary folktale delightfully illustrates the "Golden Rule."