Folktales from Japan Season 1 Episode 42 E 42

In Folktales from Japan season 1 episode 42, titled "E 42," viewers are treated to a story about the power of love. The episode begins with the story of a young girl named Orihime, who was tasked with weaving beautiful clothes for the gods. She was so dedicated to her task that she never left her loom, causing her father, the emperor, to worry that she would never find love. In an effort to cheer her up, he arranged for her to meet a young man named Hikoboshi, who worked hard tending to his cattle.

The two quickly fell in love and were happy together, but Orihime's commitment to her weaving meant that she neglected her other duties. When the emperor realized that his daughter was neglecting her work, he ordered the two lovers to be separated, sending Hikoboshi back to his work with the cattle and Orihime back to her weaving.

The couple was heartbroken and spent weeks wandering the earth, searching for each other. Eventually, they were reunited on a bridge of magpies, which had taken pity on their plight and formed a bridge across the sky for them to cross. However, when they were reunited, they found that they had neglected their work on earth and all of the crops had withered.

To appease the gods, they promised to work hard and continue their love without neglecting their duties. From that day on, they were only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, when they would be reunited on the bridge of magpies. The story of Orihime and Hikoboshi became the basis for the Japanese festival of Tanabata, which is still celebrated today.

In addition to the main story, "E 42" also includes a few shorter tales. One story tells of a monk who traveled to China to study Buddhism, but found that he was more interested in acrobatics. He returned to Japan and became a famous performer, using his acrobatic skills to spread the teachings of Buddhism to the people. Another story focuses on a group of animals who all want to be king of the forest. A wise old monkey helps them see that true strength comes from unity, and they all agree to live together peacefully.

Overall, "E 42" is a charming episode of Folktales from Japan that highlights the importance of love, unity, and hard work. The stories are engaging and entertaining, while also imparting important lessons that are still relevant today. Fans of folklore, mythology, and Japanese culture will enjoy this episode, as well as other episodes of the series.