The Brave Issimbosi

This fairy tale is about a little boy so small that his parents named him Issun-boshi. They gave him this name because, in Japanese, Issun-boshi means "Thumb Boy."

And indeed, Issun-boshi was no bigger than a thumb. But he never lowered his eyes before anyone; he was brave, cheerful, and clever. When Issun-boshi turned sixteen, he came to his parents and said:

"I want to see how people live in Japan. Let me go to Kyoto."

His mother was frightened:

"Where will you go from your home? You'll perish in a strange city! Anyone could harm you!"

"I won't let anyone harm me, don't worry!" said Issun-boshi.

"Well, if you're so brave, then go," agreed his father.

Issun-boshi began to prepare for the journey. He made a sword from a needle, a sheath from a straw, a boat from a walnut shell, and an oar from a chopstick.

Issun-boshi bid farewell to his parents, climbed into his walnut boat, and sailed up the river. He had to work hard with the oar before he reached the shore near Kyoto.

And so, at last, Issun-boshi found himself in the capital. He solemnly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and began to stroll along the bustling streets of Kyoto. What enormous and beautiful houses there were! And how many people on the streets!

As he walked, he suddenly found himself in front of a magnificent palace.

"Ah, what a palace!" exclaimed Issun-boshi. "I want to live here!"

Now, you should know that Issun-boshi never spoke words he didn't mean. That's why, without much thought, he passed through the gates, climbed the steps, and found himself in the palace rooms. This palace belonged to the first minister of the imperial court—Prince Sanjo.

None of the guards even noticed as Issun-boshi entered the chambers of the first minister. The minister was solemnly seated in the place of honor (kamiza):

"Greetings, my lord!" said Issun-boshi loudly.

"Who is greeting me?" wondered Sanjo. "I don't see anyone!"

Issun-boshi stepped closer to the kamiza and said even louder:

"I am here, my lord. I am standing at your feet!"

The minister looked down and saw a tiny man.

"Who are you? Where are you from?" asked Sanjo in surprise.

"My name is Issun-boshi. I have come to Kyoto to see how people live here. Please allow me to stay with you and serve you!"

"But are you capable of anything? All my servants will laugh at you!"

"Let them just try!" exclaimed Issun-boshi angrily, drawing his needle-sword from its straw sheath.

"Ara! (Ara—an exclamation of surprise) You are quite the fearless one!" said the minister. "Well, I need brave people. Stay and serve me."

And so, Issun-boshi settled in the palace of the emperor's first minister—Prince Sanjo.

A little time passed, and everyone grew fond of the new servant. Issun-boshi was friendly, cheerful, and helpful. He carried out the minister's orders quickly and well.

Prince Sanjo's fifteen-year-old daughter, Ogin, became especially attached to Issun-boshi. He played the biwa (Biwa—a traditional Japanese musical instrument) for her, sang her village songs, and accompanied Ogin on her walks.

One day, during a walk, Issun-boshi and Ogin didn't notice how they ended up outside the city walls. Not far away loomed a forest inhabited by terrible demons.

As soon as Issun-boshi and Ogin approached the forest, a huge demon leaped out. Instead of a sword, the demon had a small mallet tucked into his belt.

Seeing the demon, Ogin ran in fear back to Kyoto. But Issun-boshi didn't budge. He drew his sword and shouted menacingly:

"Stop! Don't move!"

The demon was surprised:

"Who's shouting?"

And Issun-boshi again:

"Stop, or I'll run you through with my sword!"

Only now did the demon notice Issun-boshi. He noticed—and burst into laughter. Issun-boshi waving his needle-sword looked very funny. When the demon finished laughing, he roared:

"Ah, you insignificant snail! I'll swallow you alive!" And, grabbing Issun-boshi, the demon swallowed him.

As soon as Issun-boshi found himself in the demon's stomach, he began to stab the monster with his needle.

The demon let out a terrible scream; his eyes bulged from the pain.

And Issun-boshi, without stopping, kept stabbing the demon with his needle.

The pain made the demon's legs give way. He fell to the ground, howled, and rolled around—nothing helped: Issun-boshi kept stabbing tirelessly.

Finally, the demon figured out how to save himself. He took a deep breath and then exhaled with all his might. Along with the air, he exhaled Issun-boshi.

The demon was overjoyed that no one was stabbing him anymore and rushed back into the forest. Only the mallet remained where he had been rolling.

Issun-boshi picked up the mallet and ran after Ogin. Ogin stood by the city wall, crying. She was sure the huge demon had killed the tiny Issun-boshi.

"Here I am!" said Issun-boshi cheerfully, waving the demon's mallet as if nothing had happened.

"Thank you, thank you!" exclaimed Ogin. "If you hadn't stopped the demon, he would have dragged me into the forest! Let's go home quickly; I'll tell my father about your bravery..."

And they set off for home.

Issun-boshi walked beside Ogin, swinging the mallet. And it so happened that he touched Ogin's fan with the mallet. Immediately, the fan doubled in size. Issun-boshi was surprised, touched his sword with the mallet—and his sword also instantly became twice as long.

"The demon lost his magic mallet!" shouted Issun-boshi. "Look what happens now!"

He noticed a worm under a tree, touched it with the mallet—and the worm became no smaller than a snake.

"Give me that mallet quickly!" Ogin exclaimed joyfully. "I know what to do!"

Ogin grabbed the mallet and touched Issun-boshi's head five times in a row. With each touch, Issun-boshi grew bigger and bigger. Finally, when Ogin touched him a sixth time, Issun-boshi turned into a tall, handsome young man.

When Issun-boshi and Ogin entered Sanjo's chambers, the minister asked:

"Who is this young man? Why is he in my house?"

Then Ogin told how Issun-boshi had saved her from the demon, how the demon had lost his magic mallet in fear, and how Thumb Boy had turned into a tall, handsome young man.

Issun-boshi stepped forward, bowed to the minister, and said:

"I love Ogin, and Ogin loves me..."

And Sanjo's daughter also stepped forward and said:

"Surely you won't deny your daughter the chance to marry the man who saved her life?"

Needless to say, the minister did as Ogin asked.

Issun-boshi became Ogin's husband. Soon, Issun-boshi's parents arrived in Kyoto. And everyone in the house of Ogin and Issun-boshi lived happily and harmoniously, as good people should.

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The Brave Issimbosi

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