Jiraiya

This article is about the folk ninja featured in Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari. For the ninja of the same name featured in Naruto, see Jiraiya (Naruto). For the 1988 television series, see Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya. For other uses, see Jiraiya (disambiguation).
Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki later known as Jiraiya, with a heavy gun, overcoming a huge snake which has preyed on his toads

Jiraiya (自来也 or 児雷也?, literally "Young Thunder"[1]) , originally known as Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki, is the toad riding character of the Japanese folklore 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 served as a source of influence for various other works.

Classic tale

In the legend, Jiraiya is a ninja who uses shapeshifting magic to morph into a gigantic toad. As the heir of a powerful clan in Kyūshū of the same name, 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.

19th century adaptations

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

In popular culture

See also

References

  1. "The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant". Way Of Ninja. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  2. 1 2 "The Gallant Jiraiya". Web.archive.org. 2001-07-13. Archived from the original on July 13, 2001. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  3. "The Magical Ninjya: Jiraiya Kenzan PS2 - Cancelled". Unseen 64. Retrieved 2013-09-18.

External links

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