Inch-High Samurai – Issun-Boshi

Issun-Boshi “One-Inch Boy”, sometimes translated into English as “The Inch-High Samurai” is the subject of a fairy tale from Japan.

The story begins with an old, childless couple who live alone. The old woman wishes for a child, despite her old age, “Please, please let us have a child, no matter how small.” Eventually, a son was born to them. But small indeed was the child—no larger than a grown man’s fingertip. They named the miniature child Issun-Boshi.

The child, despite being incredibly small, is treated well by his parents. One day, the boy realizes he will never grow, so he goes on a trip to seek his place in the world. Fancying himself a miniature samurai, Issun-Boshi is given a sewing needle for a sword, a soup bowl for a boat, and chopsticks for oars.

He sails downriver to the city, where he petitions for a job with the government and goes to the home of a wealthy daimyo, whose daughter is an attractive princess. He is scorned for his height, but nevertheless given the job of accompanying the princess as her playmate. While they travel together, they are suddenly attacked by an oni, who deals with the pesky boy by swallowing him. The boy defeats the Oni by pricking him from within with his needle/sword.

The Oni spits out the inch-high Samurai and drops the magical Uchide’s Mallet as he runs away. As a reward for his bravery, the princess uses the power of the mallet to grow him to full size. Issun-Boshi and the princess remain close companions and eventually wed.

The story of Issun-Boshi follows three common themes that appear in almost every Japanese folk tale. The first theme is that those who are devout and pray often are blessed with a child. Issun-Boshi’s parents prayed day after day until a child was born unto them. This theme also appears in the Japanese folk tale “Momotaro.”

The second theme is that the accomplishments of these children are so extraordinary that they achieve almost every task that the audience wishes them to accomplish. Issun-Boshi gets the love of his life, attains a normal size, and becomes a well known samurai.

The third theme is that said child grows up to have a good marriage and carries a special family name. In most versions, Issun-Bōshi marries some sort of official’s daughter and becomes a very famous samurai.