Let's start having fun reading Japanese! This time we will introduce "Issunboshi"!
Hello everyone!
It's almost golden week!
What do you do in your spare time?
Going on a trip with your family, or just relaxing at home once in a while... What a great day off!
Don't forget to study Japanese when you have time!
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Today I would like to introduce a story called "Issun-boshi".
Enjoy the story!
"Issun-boshi"
Once upon a time, a healthy boy was born in a certain village.
However, this boy was a very small boy, about the size of an adult's little finger.
Even so, the father and mother named the boy Issunboshi and raised him with great care.
However, even after many years, Issun-boshi did not grow at all.
The father and mother were worried at first, but when they saw Issunboshi running around energetically, they came to think that he was a son they could be proud of.
One day, Issunboshi asked his father.
Issunboshi: "Father, how far does the river go?"
Father: "It's all the way to the mountains."
Issunboshi: "What's on the other side of the mountain?"
Father: "It's a big city."
Issunboshi: "Huh. What kind of place is the capital?"
Father: "It's a beautiful place. There are many people, many shops, and it's a lively place."
Issunboshi: "That's right! Then I'm going to the capital!!"
Dad: "Yeah!!"
Issunboshi: "I want to go to the capital and become a samurai!! Isn't that great!?"
Dad: "Well, that's..."
Father and mother were worried about whether the small Issun-boshi could live alone in the capital.
But Issun-boshi doesn't listen when he says he will go.
My parents finally gave me permission.
To get to the city, you have to go down the river.
On the day of his departure, his parents went to the river to see Issunboshi off.
Mother: "Be careful."
Father: "Take care of yourself."
Issunboshi: "Mother and father are fine! Thank you for everything!"
Issun Bōshi waved to his parents and started down the river.
A small Issun-boshi rides a bowl-shaped boat and uses chopstick oars to skillfully go down the river.
How long were you on the ship?
Issunboshi's ship finally arrived at the capital.
Issunboshi: "Wow! This is the capital!!"
The city was very big, crowded and lively.
Issunboshi immediately started looking for a job.
Issunboshi: "Alright, let's go to this big Oyashiki."
Oyashiki's master was surprised at Issun-boshi's small size, but he took a liking to Issun-boshi, who was energetic and motivated, and made him a retainer of the princess.
Princess: "You are a very small samurai. Please take care of yourself."
Issunboshi: "Yes! I'm small, but I will protect the princess! Thank you very much."
Issunboshi helped the princesses and practiced swordsmanship.
Of course, Issunboshi's sword is not a normal sword, but a needle sword given to him by his parents.
Many years have passed since then, and spring has just arrived when the cherry blossoms are beautiful.
One day, the princess decided to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple with her retainers.
Issunboshi is also with us.
The princess visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple and came back to the mountain path.
Then, suddenly… Rough rustling…
A big demon came out.
Oni: "Hahaha. You're a pretty girl! Let's take it."
Retinues: "Wow!!"
The servants were afraid of the demon and ran away.
Issunboshi was the only one who went toward the demon.
Issunboshi: "Hey! I won't hand over the princess!! Yay!!!"
Issun Bōshi brandished his needle sword and said,
Oni: "What is it? You. Hahaha, something like a grain of rice is making a fuss."
Issunboshi: "What the hell!! Eiyah!!"
The demon picked up Issunboshi and ate it up.
Princess: "Oh! Issunboshi!"
The servants were also startled and could not move.
Oni: "Come on, let's have a daughter!... Uh... Uh...!!"
The demon suddenly began to suffer.
Oni: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Issunboshi, who should have been eaten, was alive in his stomach.
Issunboshi pricked the demon's stomach with a needle.
Oni: "I'm sorry! I won't hurt you anymore! Please forgive me!"
Issunboshi: "Okay, don't come out anymore!"
Issunboshi came out of the demon's mouth.
The demon cried and ran away.
Princess: "You were fine!"
The princess ran to Issunboshi.
Issunboshi: "Yes, I'm safe!"
Princess : "Oh, this is... a hammer! The demon dropped it."
Issunboshi: "What is a hammered hammer?"
Princess: "This is a kozuchi that can make any wish come true. Issun-boshi, do you have any wishes?"
Issunboshi: "Yes, I want to be big! If I can be the same size as everyone else, I can become even stronger!"
Princess: "Okay."
Then, the princess stood in front of Issunboshi and swung her mallet.
Princess: "Be big. Be big."
Every time the princess swung her hammer, Issunboshi's body grew, and in no time, she was bigger than the princess.
Many years later, Issunbōshi grew up to be a fine young man, was recognized by everyone, married the princess, and lived happily ever after.
How was it.
It's a famous old tale, so some of you may have heard of it.
If there are any kanji or words you don't understand, please look them up yourself.
It's also a good idea to find words and expressions that you can use everyday in the story and actually use them.
See you in the next blog!
Have a nice weekend!
