Jiraiya

Jiraiya (自来也 or 児雷也, literally "Young Thunder"[1]), originally known as Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki, 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.

This article is about the character featured in Sasuke Gōketsu Monogatari. For other uses, see Jiraiya (disambiguation).
Shuma Hiroyuki, later known as Jiraiya, using a heavy gun to defeat a huge snake that preyed on his toads.

Classic tale
Jiraiya, Sunrise and Boat, Ukiyo-e by Utagawa Kunisada (1852).

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.

Jiraiya riding a giant toad, depicted in an 1866 print by Yoshitoshi

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

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

Legacy and influence

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

A Persona representing the spirit of Jiraiya is also 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 toad mecha.

See also

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