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I is for Issun-Boshi, Japanese Folktale Hero

4/10/2015

14 Comments

 
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"Every Hero Has A Story." My Blogging From A to Z theme bridges the summer library reading programs throughout the U.S. with storytelling opportunities, ideas, and activities.
I was fortunate to live in Honshu, Japan for 3 years while my dad served in the Air Force at Tachikawa Air Base. I attended 2nd - 4th grade and loved to hear the Japanese folktales. This is one of my favorites.

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Issun-Boshi sailing away in his rice bowl. Amanda Lima, artist. Illustration is linked to her website

Issun Boshi

Here are the barebones of the folktale in which Issun Boshi, "Little One Inch" proves to be the hero. I've included my longer version of the tale as a PDF document in the resources.

1. Husband and wife pray for a baby at a nearby shrine and are granted a sweet baby boy, no bigger than an inch. They called his Issun Boshi or "Little One Inch" and they showered him with love.
2. I. B. asks questions about where the river flows and finds out it runs to Kyoto, the capitol of Japan where the Samurai live. 
3. In time, he grows up and tells his parents he would like to become a Samurai and find adventure. Parents are upset but let him leave with the help of a rice bowl for his boat, a chopstick for his paddle, and a needle for his sword. (What more could a boy want?)
4. Task of travelling by water was difficult - had to survive slams into rocks, rapids, and falling over waterfalls - but he does because he never gives up, stays determined, and has a goal in mind!
5. Reaches Kyoto and persuades a famous samurai warrior to work for him as a guard and playmate to the Lord's daughter, Princess Haruhime.
6. Time passes and they are the best of friends - reading books, telling stories, playing drums and the koto, and writing haiku.
7. Princess wants to pray at the Kiyomizu Temple in the spring so father grants that as long as she brings warriors and Issum Boshi to protect her from oni (rumored demon kidnapping young ladies)
8. All is fine until dark when they begin journey back home. Oni demon jumps from brush - warriors run away like scared babies.
9. Issun jumps up to the rescue but once the demon sees how small he is, he swallows him whole.
10. Hero time: Issun Boshi pulls out his needle and continues to stab the Oni until the demon swears he'll be good. The Oni spits out Boshi and runs away.
11. Princess notices a magic hammer, left by the Oni and asks Issun Boshi to make any wish. I.B. wishes for…..drum roll….to be 6 feet tall - YES!
12. Wish comes true. He fulfills his dreams and becomes a reknown samurai, marries the princess, and they live happily ever after.

Resources



The PDF below is my version of Issun Boshi:
issun_boshi_-_inch_boy.pdf
File Size: 40 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

This is a wonderful Kamishibai story of Issun-Boshi. I love the illustrations:
issun-boshi.pdf
File Size: 2642 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

SHOUT OUTS TO THE FOLLOWING A-Z BLOGGERS: PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT:
Alex Hurst: A Fantasy Writer in Kyoto

Diane Coto: FictionZeal - Impartial; straight forward fiction book reviews

Pam Faro: Story Crossings: Comparing Story Slams to Traditional Storytelling

Susan Donaldson - Family History Fun


Zalka Csenge Virag: The Multicolored Diary- focus on Epics
14 Comments
Shantala link
4/10/2015 03:52:08 am

This is the first ever Japanese folk tale that I have come across. I fond it extremely interesting. Thanks a lot for sharing. :)
<a href="http://shanayatales.com/">*Shantala @ ShanayaTales* </a>

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/10/2015 11:49:52 am

Japanese folktales are wonderful - many of which are for adults also! Thanks so much for visiting Shantala!

Reply
Parul link
4/10/2015 04:59:00 am

I loved that story..Such a lovely one describing ambitions, hopes and action. Superb! So happy I stopped by :)

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/10/2015 11:50:40 am

I think so also Parul. Wonderful tale for kids. Thanks so much for visiting.

Reply
Matthew MacNish link
4/10/2015 06:56:15 am

Wow, this is amazing! I love Japanese culture.

Brand new follower here, dropping by from A to Z.

Nice to meet you, Sue!

<a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/co-host-helpersassistants-2015.html">2015 A to Z Challenge Co-Host</a>
Matthew MacNish from <a href="http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/">The QQQE</a>

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/10/2015 11:51:31 am

I had a fun time visiting your site also Matthew - nice to meet you!

Reply
Pam Faro link
4/10/2015 08:31:39 am

I particularly love the art that accompanies your post today!!

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Romi link
4/10/2015 08:57:28 am

Thank you for your visit to my blog.
As a child, my aunt read me the story of Issun-boshi (一寸法師). I had a picture book, and I still remember the picture of the scene where he was fighting against Oni.

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/10/2015 11:52:29 am

Very cool - great memories!

Reply
Jessica link
4/10/2015 11:07:00 am

Interesting! First time here from the A to Z challenge.

Jessica
2015 A to Z Blogger
<a href="http://jessicamarcarelli.blogspot.com">Visions of Other Worlds</a>

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/10/2015 12:00:42 pm

Glad you visited - your post was quite interesting - I'll be back to visit!

Reply
Drusilla Barron link
4/10/2015 11:08:05 am

What a wonderful story. It stands totally on its own and yet reminds me of Tom thumb and Thumbelina. I'll be reading more Japanese folk tales now. Thanks so much.

Also A to Z posting at http://glamofgod.com

Reply
Carolyn Stearns link
4/10/2015 12:37:05 pm

I have been on the lookout for a Japanese story for one of my storytelling troupe children. Her family lived in Japan for a time. I think this story will appeal to her. I hope it introduces her to the treasure of Japanese stories.

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/10/2015 01:09:38 pm

Yay! Momotaro is another fun tale- Little Peach Boy! Both are fun and pretty easy to tell! Glad you visited. Thank you

Reply



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