The Stonecutter: A Japanese Folk Tale

by Gerald McDermott

Relates the consequences of a stonecutter's foolish longing for power.

Genres: Picture Books, Japan, Childrens, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Folklore

32 pages, Library Binding

First published May 19, 1975

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Gerald McDermott is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and an expert on mythology. His work often combines bright colors and styles with ancient imagery.

He has created more than 25 books and animated films. His first book, Anansi the Spider, was awarded a Caldecott Honor, and he’s since won the Caldecott Medal for Arrow to the Sun and another Caldecott Honor.

Reviews

[Carolyn Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Stonecutter: A Japanese Folktale", by Gerald McDermott, was a story adapted from a Japanese Folk tale. In the story the stonecutter thinks everyone is happier than he is. This is until he sees otherwise. The was well written and truly taught a lesson, which is the overall purpose of folktales. It taught that you shouldn't wish to be others as each life comes with its own challenges. Do not dwell upon things you can't control. You must accept what you are and the life your living, because it is all you have.
The story achieved its teaching of a lesson. Overall it is a good story that children should be exposed to because, many of us are guilty of wishing for the same things as the stonecutter and don't realize it. Reading this story would allow students to see that they are who they are for a purpose and that they should seek out the joy in that.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic Japanese folktale I'd read before, about a stonecutter who dreams of better things. It's in the vein of "The Fisherman and his Wife" by the Brother's Grimm. I like the fairy tale, though I'm not sure I like the message. Sure, people of all classes and job positions can change the world, but it's also fine to want better for yourself. But this may also be a cultural difference.

The illustrations are lovely. I didn't realize it was by the same guy who wrote and illustrated Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, one of my favorites as a child. I have to wonder about an author whose every book is retelling a myth from a different culture than his own. I'd rather read from own voices authors, but his illustrations are lovely.

[Janique Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasaku is the main character of this book and he is a stonecutter, he chips away and the mountain every day. He didn't ask for anything, only to be able to work, and this pleased the mountain spirit. One day, a prince in a beautiful robe and his servants passed by and Tasaku looked with envy. That night he wished to one day have such great wealth as the prince did. The spirit in the mountain heard his wish and transformed him into a prince as he slept. When he woke up, he was so happy, he had a palace and many people who would listen to his commands. While out in the garden, he saw how powerful the sun was and asked the spirit to change him into the sun, in which it did. With these powers, he killed his people's crops and dried up their water supply. He then wanted to be a cloud and the spirit did so, he then made violent storms. Realizing that the mountain was powerful, his final wish was to be the mountain. And with that, the spirit obeyed and left. Then he felt the sharp sting of a stonecutter at his mountain feet. I really liked the art style and it reminded me of Eric Carle.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently came across a photo memory of me reading another of McDermott's books (a monkey one) to my son and a caption saying we loved it so much that we planned to seek out others. Then covid hit and we didn't have access to a library for a time, and that son grew up, beyond reading picture books together (and that's okay). And so, I have decided to check out what I could from my library and read them on my own.

I love the stylized illustrations and the hints of Japanese writing scattered within the illustrations. You have to really look to see them and perhaps be familiar with them. The story is a bit sad, but it teaches children to be content with what they have, which is a good thing. I wanted to feel sorry for the stonecutter, but he was actually a very greedy man who learned his lesson too late.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never happy, Tasaku keeps reaching for things that seem better. He comes to an ironic end....
It was a timely read as there are weather related disasters....
The images were dark and you could feel the emotion from the character.

I thought it was a great read.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

DVD Reading of Story

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, excellent illustrations, meaningful life lessons.

[Jackie]

Title: The Stonecutter
Author: Gerald McDermott
Illustrator: Non-European Folktale
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Wishes, Appreciating what you have
Opening line/sentence: Tasaku was a lowly stonecutter.
Brief Book Summary: Tasaku is a stonecutter that wants to be a rich man. Tasaku gets his wishes granted and becomes rich and transforms in to many different things but in the end realizes being rich isn't as great as he thought it would be. In the end Tasaku realizes he is happiest as a stonecutter.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Horn Book Guide Online 32 pp. Crown ISBN 0-517-59864-7 PE ISBN 0-517-59865-5 (3) K-3 series. An angel grants a stonecutter's wish to be a rich man. Next, however, he wishes to become a powerful governor, then a farmer, then the sun, a cloud, a gust of wind, and a rock--until finally he wishes to return to being a stonecutter. McDermott's characteric style of art, with small characters and gold background, accompanies a straightforward text.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: 32 pp. Putnam ISBN 0-399-22187-5
(3) K-3 series. The classic tale of the stonecutter who has his wishes of wealth and power granted only to realize he was happiest as a stonecutter. Set in Japan, the tale is matched in spirit by the strong illustrations.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with the reviews that the illustrations are one of the strongest part of the book. The classic theme of the grass isn't always greener on the other side is capture well in this story. I haven't read this folktale before but I enjoyed Mcdermott's version of the folktale.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book would be better for older elementary students because of some of the advanced vocabulary featured in the book. If the book is used as a read aloud, it could help build students vocabulary even is they cannot read the story on their own yet. The message of the story is good for all ages but the illustration may be a little abstract for younger readers.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This would be a great story to teach students to appreciate what they have in life. A teacher could read this story to the class and then ask each student want they are grateful for. Each student can draw or list out things in their life that they love and that make them happy. The overall lesson would be to look at the positive in life and appreciate what you have.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stonecutter: A Japanese Folk Tale by Gerald McDermott tells the Japanese story of a foolish stonecutter who wishes to be all powerful. The stonecutter is granted a series of wishes by the spirit of the mountain, but none makes him all-powerful.

McDermott hand colored large sheets of white bond paper with gouache, then cut out his design forms and mounted them as collages. Green, blue, purple, red and black predominate the very stylized art. My favorite images include the title page, stonecutter, spirit in the mountain, Tasuku as Prince, people beg for water, rivers overran banks, and final image.

I enjoyed this wise tale about the folly of trying to become all powerful and how one should be careful of one's wishes. I liked the stylized collage art, though some may not care for it. The large, bold font makes this tale easy to read aloud, though it would also be effective as a told tale.

For ages 6 and up, folk-tales, stonecutters, power, mountains, spirits, wishes, and fans of Gerald McDermott.

[Aryehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale does and excellent job illustrating "grass is greener" syndrome. Though there are few perspectives to explore in this story, the readers may consider its' main idea and talk about connections to their own lives. I felt that the illustrations are interesting, though a little abstract for young readers to decipher and the book may be more developmentally appropriate for late kindergartners who are able to imagine the story taking place rather than rely on illustrations. Young readers may take time using pictures to properly sequence events from this story.

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient stories, from everywhere, are some of the earliest stories I was told as a child. The universality of the human experience shines through regardless of where, and when these tales are created.
This is a brief and softly read story of someone striving to power, and learning what true power is, with, inevitably, Nature/ Time being the greatest.
This author has produced many of the world's folk tales, and legends for publication. These would make a strong introduction to learning about life through the stories we tell, and have told each other for millennia.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard this author at PSLA.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lesson to learn about asking what you wish for....

[Bridget]

Have the audio version.

[Eva Siagian · Rating 5 out of 5]

really love the illustration, it's breathed Japanese :)

[Tawny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful artwork and a wonderful moral.