batch.motif.japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki-gutenberg-l6755-l6881
---
record_id: batch.motif.japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki-gutenberg-l6755-l6881
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
passage_locator:
label: THE WHITE HARE AND THE CROCODILES / THE STORY OF PRINCE YAMATO TAKE / MOMOTARO,
OR THE STORY OF THE SON OF A PEACH / THE OGRE OF RASHOMON; lines 6755-6881
start: '6755'
end: '6881'
translation: Japanese Fairy Tales
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: In Kyoto, people fear an ogre said to haunt the Gate of Rashomon at twilight,
seize passersby, and eat them. Raiko, a famous general previously victorious over
ogres at Oeyama, has five valorous knights. During a feast, Hojo repeats the rumor,
and Watanabe denies it but accepts a challenge to test it. Armed and armored,
Watanabe rides through a dark storm to Rashomon with a signed paper to prove he
has gone there. After fastening the paper to the gate, he is seized from behind
by a hairy arm. He recognizes it as an ogre’s arm, cuts at it, and sees a giant
ogre breathing fire. Watanabe fights without flinching; the ogre flees too quickly
to be overtaken. Returning to the gate, Watanabe finds the severed arm and takes
it home as proof and a trophy.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The people of Kyoto are afraid because an ogre is said to haunt the Gate of
Rashomon at twilight and seize passersby who are never seen again.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The missing victims are rumored to have been killed and eaten by the ogre.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Raiko is described as a famous general who previously attacked Oeyama, routed
a band of ogres, and cut off the chief monster’s head.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Raiko is followed by faithful knights, including five knights of great valor.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: At a feast, Hojo asks whether the others have heard the rumor about the ogre
at Rashomon.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Watanabe rejects the rumor as unbelievable and says Raiko killed all the ogres
at Oeyama.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Hojo challenges Watanabe to go to the gate and find out whether the rumor
is true.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Watanabe arms himself with a long sword, armor, and a large helmet before
riding to Rashomon.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Watanabe takes a paper signed by his four comrades and plans to attach it
to the gate as proof that he has gone there.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The ride takes place on a very dark stormy night with no moon or stars, heavy
rain, and howling wind.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Watanabe reaches the Gate of Rashomon, sees no ogre, fastens the signed paper
to the gate, and turns homeward.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Someone behind Watanabe calls to him and seizes his helmet from the back.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Watanabe touches a hairy arm as large around as a tree trunk and recognizes
it as an ogre’s arm.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Watanabe draws his sword and cuts at the ogre’s arm.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:15
text: The ogre appears taller than the gate, with mirror-like flashing eyes, a wide
mouth, and fire coming from its mouth as it breathes.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:16
text: Watanabe and the ogre fight face to face for a long time, and the ogre eventually
flees.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:17
text: Watanabe chases the fleeing ogre but cannot overtake it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:18
text: Watanabe returns to the gate, finds one of the ogre’s huge arms on the ground,
and carries it home as a trophy and proof of the fight.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Watanabe
description: The second knight among Raiko’s followers; he accepts the challenge,
rides to Rashomon, fights the ogre, and brings back the severed arm.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:12
- ev:14
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ogre of Rashomon
description: A dreadful ogre said to haunt the Gate of Rashomon, seize and eat victims,
and later shown as a giant fire-breathing monster who fights Watanabe and loses
an arm.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:14
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Raiko
description: A famous general in Kyoto, known for previously routing ogres at Oeyama
and cutting off their chief’s head.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hojo
description: The first knight at the feast who mentions the Rashomon ogre rumor
and challenges Watanabe to test it.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Four comrades
description: The other knights who write their names on a piece of paper for Watanabe
to place on the gate.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Oeyama ogres and chief monster
description: A band of ogres at Oeyama whose chief drank human blood; Raiko is said
to have routed them and cut off the chief’s head.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: challenged warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Watanabe accepts Hojo’s challenge to go to the gate and verify the ogre rumor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: monster-fighter and trophy bearer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Watanabe cuts the ogre, fights it, and carries home the severed arm as proof
and trophy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
- ev:14
- id: role:3
label: haunting predator
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The ogre is said to haunt the Gate of Rashomon, seize passersby, and eat
victims.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: giant fire-breathing opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The ogre is described as taller than the gate and breathing flames during
its encounter with Watanabe.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: role:5
label: renowned prior ogre-slayer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Raiko is described as famous for brave deeds and for defeating the ogres
of Oeyama.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: challenger at feast
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Hojo reports the rumor and proposes that Watanabe go to Rashomon to prove
whether it is true.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: witnesses by signature
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The comrades write their names on paper that Watanabe intends to place at
the gate as proof of his visit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: defeated earlier ogres
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The Oeyama ogres are described as having been routed by Raiko, with their
chief beheaded.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Gate of Rashomon
literal_form: city gate haunted at twilight and used as the site of the test and
combat
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- ev:14
- id: sym:2
label: signed paper as proof of presence
literal_form: piece of paper bearing the four comrades’ names, fastened to the gate
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: sword, armor, and helmet
literal_form: Watanabe’s long sword, coat of armor, and large helmet
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:4
label: dark storm night
literal_form: moonless and starless night with heavy rain and howling wind
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: fire breath
literal_form: flames of fire shooting from the ogre’s mouth as it breathes
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:6
label: severed ogre arm
literal_form: one of the ogre’s huge arms, found on the ground and carried home
as proof and trophy
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Fear of the Rashomon ogre
summary: Kyoto’s people fear the Gate of Rashomon after sunset because an ogre is
said to seize and eat passersby there.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Feast and challenge
summary: At a feast, Hojo raises the rumor, Watanabe disputes it, and Hojo challenges
him to go to the gate and test the report.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Preparation and proof token
summary: Watanabe arms himself and takes a signed paper from his comrades to attach
to Rashomon as evidence of his visit.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Night ride to the gate
summary: Watanabe rides through a moonless storm to the Gate of Rashomon while his
comrades wait behind.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Ambush and recognition of the ogre
summary: After fastening the paper to the gate, Watanabe is seized from behind by
the helmet and feels a huge hairy arm that he identifies as an ogre’s arm.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:6
label: Combat with the fire-breathing ogre
summary: Watanabe cuts at the ogre, sees its giant fire-breathing form, fights it
without flinching, and causes it to flee.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:7
label: Trophy brought home
summary: Unable to overtake the fleeing ogre, Watanabe returns to the gate, finds
its severed arm, and carries it home as proof of the encounter.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: monster haunting a dangerous threshold
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The ogre is said to haunt the Gate of Rashomon at twilight, making the gate
a feared place no one approaches after sunset.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy list supplied has no specific gate or threshold monster category.
- id: motif:2
label: hero accepts a public challenge to enter a feared place
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- initiation
basis: Watanabe accepts Hojo’s challenge, rides out in dangerous weather, and tests
the rumor at the gate to preserve his honor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a martial test of courage, but does not explicitly
frame it as a formal initiation.
- id: motif:3
label: proof token placed at the perilous site
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Watanabe takes a paper signed by his comrades and fastens it to the gate
so the others can verify that he went there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is a local narrative device rather than a supplied taxonomy motif.
- id: motif:4
label: heroic combat with a giant fire-breathing ogre
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The ogre is gigantic, breathes flames, and fights Watanabe until it flees.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: Only the fire element maps directly to an available symbol taxonomy; no
ogre motif family is supplied.
- id: motif:5
label: severed monster body part as trophy and proof
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Watanabe finds the ogre’s severed arm after the fight and carries it home
as the best proof of his adventure and as a trophy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe any later consequences of possessing the
arm.
- id: motif:6
label: cannibal monster terrorizes a city
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The ogre is rumored to seize victims who are never seen again and to kill
and eat them, causing widespread fear in Kyoto.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The cannibalism is reported as rumor within the passage rather than directly
witnessed.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The Rashomon ogre rumor is explicitly measured against Raiko’s earlier Oeyama
ogre-slaying, since Watanabe argues that the rumor cannot be true because Raiko
already killed the ogres there.
claim_level: same_function
target: Raiko’s Oeyama ogre-slaying episode within the same passage
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage links the episodes through character memory and shared
ogre enemies, but it does not state that the Rashomon ogre is one of the Oeyama
survivors.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 6755-6763
quote_or_summary: Kyoto’s people are terrified by reports that a dreadful ogre haunts
the Gate of Rashomon at twilight, seizes passersby, and may kill and eat them;
no one ventures there after sunset.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 6764-6771
quote_or_summary: Raiko is introduced as a famous general who had attacked Oeyama,
routed a band of ogres, and cut off the head of their chief, who drank human blood
instead of wine.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 6772-6779
quote_or_summary: Raiko is followed by faithful knights; five valorous knights sit
at a feast, and Hojo asks whether they have heard the rumor of the ogre at Rashomon.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 6780-6788
quote_or_summary: Watanabe dismisses the rumor, saying Raiko killed all the ogres
at Oeyama and any survivors would not dare appear in the city.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 6789-6797
quote_or_summary: Hojo proposes that Watanabe prove the matter by going to the gate
himself; Watanabe accepts because he cannot bear being thought afraid.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 6798-6813
quote_or_summary: Watanabe buckles on his sword, armor, and helmet; his comrades
write their names on paper, which he says he will put on the Gate of Rashomon
as proof of his visit.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 6814-6826
quote_or_summary: Watanabe rides out on a moonless, starless, stormy night with
heavy rain and howling wind; his companions wait by the charcoal fire and wonder
whether he will meet an Oni.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 6827-6837
quote_or_summary: At the Gate of Rashomon, Watanabe sees no ogre, fastens the signed
paper to the gate, and turns his horse toward home.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 6838-6846
quote_or_summary: As Watanabe turns home, someone behind him calls out and seizes
his helmet; he feels a hairy arm as large around as a tree trunk and recognizes
it as an ogre’s arm.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 6847-6851
quote_or_summary: Watanabe draws his sword and cuts fiercely at the ogre’s arm;
the ogre cries out in pain and rushes in front of him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 6852-6858
quote_or_summary: The ogre is described as taller than the great gate, with flashing
eyes, a wide mouth, and flames of fire shooting from its mouth as it breathes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 6859-6866
quote_or_summary: The ogre tries to terrify Watanabe, but Watanabe does not flinch;
they fight face to face until the ogre, unable to frighten or beat him, flees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: 6867-6872
quote_or_summary: Watanabe pursues the ogre on horseback, but the ogre runs faster
and disappears from sight.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: 6873-6881
quote_or_summary: Watanabe returns to the gate, finds one of the ogre’s huge arms
on the ground, and carries it home as a trophy and proof of his victory.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/japanese/project-gutenberg/japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage clearly supports figures, actions, objects, and scenes. Motif
labels are descriptive and cautious because the supplied taxonomy lacks specific
ogre, gate, or trophy categories. The comparison claim is limited to the internal
link with the Oeyama ogre episode stated by the characters.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. No external taxonomy IDs or cross-text parallels were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:japanese-fairy-tales-ozaki-gutenberg__l6755-l6881
passage_sha256=baeb8664f76a452a241a6d8bec3015d87f0c3b17887638dd68c57eef57912656