Yukiwarashi is a tale that originates in Niigata prefecture. I discovered it while searching for stories to translate on Wikipedia. The story follows the Japanese theme of "Old childless couple gets a magic baby" which shows up in many folktales. The story is short with little detail given, but the idea of a little Snow Child is too funny to pass over.
The Story
Once upon a time, there was a kind-hearted elderly couple. The couple had never had a child of their own, so one snowy day they decided to make a child out of snow. One evening there was a large blizzard, and as the wind whistled outside, a child suddenly, lept into the house. The old couple was overjoyed and decided to raise the child as their own. However, as spring started to approach the child began to wither away. The old couple began to worry, and before they knew it the child had completely disappeared. During the winter of the next year, there was another blizzard. To the old couple's delight, the child returned. Unfortunately, like the winter before, spring began to approach and the child began to wither away and finally disappeared. This continued for many years until the child no longer appeared.
It's believed that this child was the spirit of the child that the couple had made of snow. The Gods had sent the child to comfort the old couple. Though the child never appeared again, the old couple always had loving memories of their little snow child.
Translation Notes
When the child enters the house the word "Tobikomude" (飛び込んで) is used. The meaning of this word is to jump or dive. I find it really funny that this is the word chosen to express this scene. Nothing like a snow child bursting through your door into your house.
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