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This story comes from the 1910 book “Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales” by Grace James who was a folklorist and children’s writer specializing in Japanese stories. Her book credits many of the stories to the Ko-ji-ki, or the Book of Ancient Matters, although as far as our research can tell, this Jellyfish story is not specifically in that book but more so a folktale told through the generations.  

The Tale of the Boneless Jelly

A long, long time ago, jellyfish looked very different than they do today. Back then, their bodies were adorned with sparkling scales. They also had fins and tails much like other fish, but also little feet that allowed them to walk on the land. Overall, their form was as round as the full moon and they were considered quite beautiful. 

The Jellyfish from our tale was a happy fellow and a trusted friend of the Dragon King, Ryūjin. However, his grandma would always say that he would never have a happy ending because he was a terrible student. We’re sure it’ll be fine though since old ladies never make accurate predictions in fairy tales. 

As time went on, the Dragon King married a beautiful young lady dragon. They were quite happy until one day, the wife became very ill. She became bed-bound and everyone in the kingdom believed that she would soon pass. Doctors from all over were called to treat her sickness but no matter what they tried, the young queen did not recover. 

The Dragon King was devastated and told his sickly bride that he would give his life for her. She told him that wouldn’t save her, but there was one way. It would be difficult to acquire, but if she consumed a monkey’s liver then she would recover.

The Dragon King was shocked and desperate. There was no way for him to leave his realm deep in the sea to find the monkeys who lived in the forests. If he could, he would have brought a forest worth of livers for her.

Tears trickled down the Dragon Queen’s face. She knew her cure was impossible to find, but all the same, she knew that if she didn’t have a monkey’s liver, she would die.

Well, the Dragon King wasn’t about to lose his beloved. So he summoned his friend, the Jellyfish and told him to go retrieve a monkey’s liver to cure his wife of her sickness. The Jellyfish asked what she would do with a monkey’s liver and the king told him that she would eat it. 

The Jellyfish agreed but not being much of a thinker himself, he asked the King how he should convince the monkey to come down here. The King suggested telling the monkey about all the beauties and wonders of Dragonland. Surely, the monkey would not refuse the offer to play with mermaids all day long. 

Journey to the Forest

With this plan in mind, the Jellyfish set off. He swam and swam until he finally arrived at a shore where tall trees grew. Shortly after he arrived, he spotted a monkey in the branches who was eating some persimmon fruit. Without missing a beat, the Jellyfish clambered over the rocks on his little feet and humbly approached the monkey. The Jellyfish addressed the monkey as a noble monkey and asked if he would come to the Palace under the Sea with him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to the magical Dragonland!

The monkey chewed on his fruit and considered this strange offer from this strange creature. He asked how they would get to this Dragonland under the sea. The Jellyfish explained that the monkey could ride on his back and they would travel down together. 

Nodding, the monkey then asked why should he go. He was perfectly content living in the trees and he had all he needed.

Monkey Business

When they were about halfway to Dragonland, the Jellyfish suddenly let out a little laugh. The monkey asked what was so funny and the Jellyfish replied that he was just very happy. Once they get to Dragonland, the Dragon King will take the monkey’s liver and give it to the Dragon Queen so that she can finally recover from her illness. 

There was an awkward pause before the monkey clarified, “You need my liver?” 

The jellyfish scoffed and confirmed that of course, that is what he needed. 

The monkey cried out and berated the Jellyfish for not mentioning anything earlier! He had not thought to bring his liver with him! Did the Jellyfish not know anything? A monkey’s liver was extremely heavy, so they often took them out and hung them on branches. He urged the jellyfish to quickly turn around so that he could retrieve it. 

The Jellyfish felt embarrassed by his lack of knowledge and turned back around. When they arrived back on land, the monkey lept up and pretended to look around dramatically. He called down that someone must have stolen his liver and he had to go find the thief! It should only take a few days so the Jellyfish should go home and return then. 

The Jellyfish agreed and expressed his condolences about the stolen liver. The two parted on good terms, but unfortunately for the Jellyfish, he did not return home to a warm welcome. 

Not Your Average Happy Ending

The Dragon King was furious that his friend returned empty-handed and his anger only grew when the Jellyfish proudly explained his tale. Now, not only was their monkey gone, but he would warn all the others and none of them would agree to come to Dragonland. The Jellyfish had condemned the Dragon Queen to death. 

Livid, the Dragon King called for his executioners and ordered them to beat the Jellyfish until every bone in his body was broken and he was nothing more than a sack of flesh. 

The fish beat him until the Jellyfish lost his scales, his feet and his bones. However, despite the beating, the Jellyfish was actually quite happy with his new freedom. He found he could actually swim faster and get away from predators a lot quicker.

Now, while the Jellyfish had a somewhat sad fate, there is still a happy ending to this tale. When the Dragon Queen heard the Jellyfish’s tale, she laughed so hard at his stupidity that was miraculously cured. 

And that, dear Travellers, is why the Jellyfish is boneless. 

The fossil record for Jellyfish is difficult to trace given, well, their lack of bones, but for some interesting deep dives, you can check out the article on comb jellies: A vanished history of skeletonization in Cambrian comb jellies.