Kintarō
(金太郎?, often translated as "Golden Boy") is a folk
hero from Japanese folklore. A child of superhuman strength, he was raised by a
mountain hag on Mount Ashigara. He became friendly with the animals of the
mountain, and later, after catching Shutendouji, the terror of the region
around Mount Ooe, he became a loyal follower of Minamoto no Yorimitsu under the
new name Sakata no Kintoki (坂田 金時?). He is a popular figure in noh and kabuki drama, and
it is a custom to put up a Kintarō doll on Boy's Day in the hope that boys will
become equally brave and strong.
