Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.

| Original Title | 黄金鳥 |
|---|---|
| Author | 鈴木 三重吉 |
| Genre | Popular Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a humble village, a destitute couple’s newborn is named Willie by an enigmatic beggar who leaves behind a rusty key, promising a future gift. Years later, the key unlocks a mysterious house containing a wise gray horse that speaks and guides Willie through an unforeseen destiny. When golden feathers found in the forest reveal the image of a legendary princess, a ruthless king forces Willie to retrieve her—a quest leading him across treacherous seas guarded by whales, past starving giants and wolves pacified by clever bargains, and into an enchanted castle protected by slumbering serpents. The princess, herself bound by magic, tests Willie with perilous riddles, while his loyal horse—a prince under a curse—aids him in unraveling ancient spells. As alliances shift and royal ambitions clash, Willie’s journey becomes a race against time to break curses, outwit greed, and claim a throne entwined with secrets of life, death, and redemption. |