Jiraiya

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Shuma Hiroyuki, later known as Jiraiya, using a heavy gun to defeat a huge snake that preyed on his toads.

Jiraiya (自来也 or 児雷也, literally "Young Thunder"[1]), originally known as Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki (尾形周馬寛行), is the toad-riding protagonist of the Japanese folk tale Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari (児雷也豪傑物語, "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya"). The tale was adapted into a 19th-century serial novel, a kabuki drama, several films, video games, and a manga and has also influenced various other works.

Classic tale[edit]

In the legend, Jiraiya is a ninja who uses shapeshifting magic to morph into a gigantic toad. As the heir of the mighty Ogata clan in Kyūshū, Jiraiya fell in love with Tsunade (綱手), a beautiful young maiden who has mastered slug magic. His arch-enemy was his one-time follower Yashagorō (夜叉五郎), later known as Orochimaru (大蛇丸), a master of serpent magic (the kanji 大蛇 literally means "giant snake" or "serpent"). It was first recorded in 1806.[citation needed]

A novel version of the story was written by different authors and published in 43 installments from 1839 to 1868; one of its illustrators was woodblock artist Kunisada.[2] Kawatake Mokuami wrote a kabuki drama based on the first ten parts of the novel, which premiered in Edo in 1852, starring Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII in the leading role.[2]

Translations[edit]

The tale was translated as Jiraya, or the Magic Frog by author William Elliot Griffis.[3]

Popular Culture[edit]

The story of Jiraiya inspired three homonymous characters from the manga and anime series Naruto.

A Persona representing the spirit of Jiraiya is summoned by the character Yosuke Hanamura in Persona 4.

The 18th Super Sentai season, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, features a character named Jiraiya (played by Kane Kosugi) who summons a giant black toad mecha.

The seventh installment of the Metal Hero Series, Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya features ninja student Toha Yamaji who identifies himself as Jiraiya to combat The Sorcerers Clan.

In Urusei Yatsura in episode 179, Cherry summons a giant slug and a giant toad to fight the spirit of a giant snake that possessed Sakura.

In Pokémon, Greninja is a dual Water/Dark-type Pokémon, the evolved from of Frogadier, and the final evolved form of Froakie, the Water-type starter of the Kalos region. with the appearance and abilities of both a frog and a ninja, pulling inspiration from Jiraiya.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant". Way of Ninja. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  2. ^ a b "The Gallant Jiraiya". 2001-07-13. Archived from the original on July 13, 2001. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  3. ^ Griffis, William Elliot (1880). Japanese Fairy World: Stories from the Wonder-lore of Japan. J. H. Barhyte. pp. 126-140.

External links[edit]