issun

Issun, often referred to as Issun-bōshi or simply Issun, is a figure from Japanese folklore best known from the tale of the same name. The name derives from issun, a unit of length, and bōshi, meaning hood or hat, together commonly translated as “one-sun boy.” In the classic tale a childless elderly couple prays for a child and is rewarded with a remarkably small boy—about the size of a thumb or a one-sun tall infant.

Despite his tiny stature, Issun is determined to prove himself. He leaves home to seek his fortune, traveling to the capital in a variety of versions—some say he rides in a bowl or a ladle, others that he travels on a needle or other improvised craft. Along the way he faces dangers and meets a princess or a ruler who becomes his ally. In many variants he defeats a demon or ogre through courage, cleverness, and the use of a tiny weapon such as a needle, or by tricks that turn the foe’s strength against it.

A common ending in many versions is that Issun’s bravery earns him recognition, and he is granted a reward or grows to a normal size through magical aid or divine intervention. In some tellings he returns home with status as a skilled warrior or is married to the princess; in others he remains small but is celebrated as a heroic figure.

Issun has a lasting cultural footprint in Japan. The tale emphasizes perseverance and resourcefulness over physical size and has influenced later media, including a modern depiction in the video game Okami, where a tiny wanderer named Issun accompanies the protagonist.