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Ikeda’s Japanese Type & Motif Index
Hiroko Ikeda’s A Type and Motif Index of Japanese Folk-Literature (1971) is a reference for the classification of Japanese traditional narratives.
The index is a regional scholarly reference. Its coverage should be considered alongside the date, language, locality and source of the version under study.
Scope and reference practice
Japan · Tale types and motifs. The notes on recording evidence are editorial guidance for future use on this website.
| Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Tale types | Consult the entry for the narrative pattern and the sources associated with it. Record the entry notation exactly as printed. |
| Motifs | Use the index to investigate elements within a tale as well as whole narrative patterns. Keep these two levels of comparison distinct. |
| Regional comparison | Compare the Japanese version with relevant international entries, verifying each proposed correspondence in its source. |
Using this reference
When preparing later cross-links, cite Ikeda’s entry and the particular Japanese text or translation used. Do not derive a classification solely from a translated title.
The links below identify the published reference or its official catalogue. This page provides an introduction; it does not reproduce the full index or assign classifications to narratives.
Each heading has a stable link for citation and future cross-referencing. Narrative associations will follow later analysis.
Sources and further reading
Ikeda, Hiroko. A Type and Motif Index of Japanese Folk-Literature. FF Communications 209. Helsinki: Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia, 1971.
- National Institute of Informatics, CiNii: book record and library holdings
- Folklore Fellows: author index, FFC 209
The explanations are concise editorial summaries. Published identifiers are distinguished from this page’s reference headings and suggested recording practices.
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How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
0009-0006-1672-4451
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