MatthewOutland wrote:

> why is there such SERIOUS INTELLECTUAL DEBATE about the motives of
> momotaro and whether he was justified in taking some of the treasure,
> when his  claim to fame was killing OGRES?

For one, because it could be based on some historical truth, not
involving monsters and animal sidekicks, but foreigners or pirates, and
other real humans. Okayama Prefecture next to me is one origin of the
Momotaro story. Just last weekend there was an hour long show featuring
the pirates of the Seto Inland Sea also on the border. Far from being
portrayed as evil despite their violent ways, one pirate leader was
credited with creating the "Bible" of Japanese shipbuilding, as well as
being marveled for his knowledge and execution of sea borne military
tactics, able to resist or repel the advances of famous military leaders
who later united Japan.