Ikkyū-san

Ikkyū-san
一休さん
Genre Comedy, Historical
Anime television series
Directed by Hideo Furusawa
Kimio Yabuki
Tetsuo Imazawa
Studio Toei Animation
Network TV Asahi, Animax
Original run 15 October 1975 – 28 June 1982
Episodes 296

Ikkyū-san(一休さん) is a little Buddhist monk who is smart and playful like other children. He often outsmarts adults. The animation based on the historical Zen Buddhist monk Ikkyū that follows his mischievous adventures as a child during his stay at Ankoku-ji Temple.[1] In each episode, Ikkyū relies on his intelligence and wit to solve all types of problems, from distraught farmers to greedy merchants.

The anime was well received by all ages in Japan and throughout Asia, as it does not rely on violence. Even when violence appears, it is usually presented in a mild or necessary way (for example, there are occasional references to the Ōnin War). A running gag of Ikkyū-san is that whenever Ikkyū is trying to think of a plan, he sits in a lotus position, wets his two index fingers, and rotates them above his head.

In 1976, there was also a theatrical film released as part of the Toei Manga Matsui film festival in the summer of that year.

History

Ikkyū-san(一休宗純, Ikkyū Sōjun) was born in 1394 in Kyoto. He is the son of Emperor Go-Komatsu-tenno and Mrs. Iyo. Ikkyu and his mother had to leave the palace because of the political problem of Japan. When he was 5 years old, he was separated from his mother and was sent to be ordained at Ankoku-ji Temple. The habit of real Ikkyu is different from his habit in the cartoon version so much. In the anime, he is so cute and very neat. In fact, he is a person who has different ideas from people around him so Mr. Ka-so has appointed his senior as Abbot instead of him. He decided to travel to various locations which gave him an opportunity to meet many famous artists and poets. Ikkyu was appointed as the abbot at the Di-tok-ku temple to restore the temple from destruction. His stay at the Di-tok-ku temple did not take long. He went to live at the Ankoku-ji Temple , which is the last place where he lives, before he died at the age of 87 years in 1481.[2]

Famous Story

• Don’t cross this Bridge

One day, a samurai invited Ikkyu to dinner at his house. Ikkyu was very glad but when he reached the samurai’s house, then was a bridge with a sign that said “Don’t cross this bridge.” He decided to walk across the bridge without hesitation. The samurai told him “Why did you cross the bridge, you didn’t read the sign.” Ikkyu said “I did see it. I walked right in the middle of bridge, not on the edge of the bridge.” Bridge in Japanese is called はし “hashi” (hashi means 橋 “the bridge” or 端 “edge”).[2]

Reception

In 2005, Japanese television network TV Asahi conducted an online web poll for the top one hundred anime, and Ikkyū-san placed 85th tied with Hana no Ko Lunlun.[3]

This animation has become one of the most famous Japanese anime in China. So, this anime was chosen to promote international tourism.[4]

Trivia

This series is referenced in 2008 by Tokine Yukimura in a flashback in episode 50 of Kekkaishi, 5 minutes 50 seconds in.

References

  1. ↑ "Ikkyu-san, the Clever Little Monk". Essays in Idleness. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  2. 1 2 "ประวัติศาสตร์ญี่ปุ่น". marumura.com. Retrieved 2015-11-18. Thai: ภาษาไทย
  3. ↑ "TV Asahi Top 100 Anime". Anime News Network. September 23, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  4. ↑ "ANIME NEWS: Toei's 'Ikkyu-san' anime to promote tourism in Kyoto - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun". AJW by The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
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