The Clever Boar and Monkey (賢い猿と猪) is one of Japan’s many folktales.

Synopsis

In the province in Shinshin there was a man who travelled around making a living by taking a monkey and around and making it do tricks.

One day he returns home angry, saying he needs to sell the monkey to the butcher. He is too old now to do tricks and so he should make a last little bit of money off of the monkey. His wife begged him not to but she could not change his mind.

The monkey having overheard this, snuck out of the house to talk to a Boar who was known for his wisdom. He asked the Boar what he should do as he was now too old to perform for his master.

He asked if the family has a baby and after finding out they did he said he would steal the baby from the family and the monkey would come and rescue it from him.

The next day the baby was stolen and the husband and wife look in admiration as the monkey chased down the boar and brought back their child.

The butcher was sent away and from that day the monkey lived in peace and was never hit again.¹

Footnotes

1. Ozaki, Y.T. (2015) “Japanese Fairy Tales” USA: Cavalier Classics.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: –
  • Family: –
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Yamanobe no Ohotaka

Yamanobe no Ohotaka is a man seen in the kojiki during the exploits to try and get Prince Homutsuwake to speak.

Though the prince had grown into a man he still could not speak, however, one day he saw a swan and remarked at it. And so Yamanobe no Ohotaka was sent to retrieve the swan by Emperor Suinin.

He followed the swan through Harima to Kii, Inaba to Tanba, Tajima then eastwards until Afumi,  Minu to Wohari, and finally Shinano to Koshi. There in the estuary of Wanami he caught it and brought it to the Emperor. Though this does not cause to prince to speak again.¹²

The accounts in the nihongi differ slightly with the name of the man being Amano Yukaha Tana volunterring to pursue the swan all the way to Tajima.

After capturing the swan, he returns and presents it to Homutsuwake and he finally learns to speak.³

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.
3. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Prince
  • Family: Emperor Suinin (father) Sahobime (mother) Hinagahime (wife)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Homutsuwake

Homutsuwake (誉津別命) was the son of Emperor Suinin and Sahobime.¹²³

Birth

Nihongi Version

Homutsuwake was born prior to the assassination attempt on his father’s life by his mother.

His mother, mourning that she nearly took her husbands life, sneaks into her brothers castle (Sahobiko) with the prince Homutsuwake.

Attacks by the emperor against the castle intensify and eventually the castle is set on fire.¹

Kojiki Version

In the kojiki the Empress had not yet given birth, and so after entering the castle the Emperor turned aside his armies to allow her to have her child. After this the child was put outside the stronghold. The Emperor being told if he considered the boy his child he could come and take him.

He sends his men to take the child and to also try and capture the Empress.

Angered they were unable to capture his wife he asks her to choose the childs name. As he had been born as the castle burnt she gave him the name Homutsuwake (Fire-possessing Lord)

Suinin then asked how he should raise the child, Sahobime saying to give him a foster mother and bathing women.

He then asks who should remove the girdle she placed around his waist and in reply she says Yehime and Otohime, daughters of Tatsumichinoushi Prince of Taniha as their parentage is unsullied.

And so the Empreror kills Sahobiko and Sahohime.

Homuchiwake was then entertained after they made a canoe for him from cedar from Ahidzu in Wohari and they placed it in the pools of Ichishi and Karu in Yamato.²³

Homutsuwake learns to talk

Nihongi Version

By the age of 30 the prince still did not speak. One day he sees a swan and finally talks saying ‘what is this thing?’

The Emperor happy at this asks who will go and collect this swan for his son. Amano Yukaha Tana volunteers and pursues it all the way to Tajima.

After capturing the swan, he returns and presents it to Homutsuwake and he finally learns to speak.

The Emperor then gives Amano the title of Tottori no Miyakko and also at this time established the Be of Torikahibe and Homutsube.¹

Kojiki Version

It is said someone by the name of Yamanobe no Ohotaka was sent to go and collect the swan.

He followed the swan through Harima to Kii, Inaba to Tanba, Tajima then eastwards until Afumi,  Minu to Wohari, and finally Shinano to Koshi. There in the estuary of Wanami he caught it and brought it to the Emperor.

The emperor thought seeing the bird again would make the prince talk, but it did not, and so the Emperor retired and had a dream. He dreamt a kami said if he built a shrine like his abode then the prince would speak.

The next day he asks an oracle to see which deity spoke finding out it was Ōkuninushi who had placed this curse on the prince. The Emperor readied the Prince to go to the shrine to pay reverence, with a man called Aketatsu being sent to attend to him.

Aketatsu swore a sacred oath ‘if there is an answer to be found in adoring this kami, then let the heron I see on Sagisu no ike fall dead.’ And the heron then died.

In reply to this he said ‘by this oath live’ and the heron came back to life. By his oath he then made wither and come back to life an oak upon Cape Amakashi (Amakashi no saki)

They also leave with Prince Unakami leaving Nara through the Ki Gate, as leaving through the Nara Gate or Ohosaka Gate would have caused them to meet a lame or blind person which was bad luck. On their journey everyone they pass they give the name of Homujibe.

After arriving at the shrine, they pray and return. A temporary Palace with a black plaited bridge is then made for Homutsuwake in the middle of the River Hi.

A man called Kihisatsumi then made a mountain adorned with green leaves and placed it downstream. Just before he presented food to Homutsuwake he finally spoke.

‘This mountain is not a mountain, perhaps it is the court of those who worship Ashiharashikowo.’

And so they informed the Emperor and he rejoiced, and the prince was left to live in the palace of Nagaho in Ajimasa.

Here he married Hinagahime for a single night where he discovered she was a serpent and flees from her. She pursued him to the ocean, where he then flees up valleys in his boat towards Yamato.²³

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.

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• See also: List of Provinces

Kōzuke Province

Kōzuke Province (上野国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.²

Legendery Period

Prince Hikosajima is said to have been buried here after falling ill and passing away.

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

During the life of Takeda Katsuyori he ruled as daimyō over the Kai, Shinano, Suruga and Kōzuke Provinces.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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• See also: List of Provinces

Suruga Province

Suruga Province (駿河国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

Legendary Period

Yamato Takeru was tasked to go subdue the Yemishi who lived on the periphery of the realm, on his way he travels through Suruga according to the Nihongi. However the Kojiki states he went through Sagami Province. Here a chieftain tries to kill him with a grass fire, however, he is unsuccesful and Yamato Takeru kills him.¹²

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Takeda Katsuyori was daimyō of the Shinano, Kai, Suruga and Kōzuke Province during his lifetime.³

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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• See also: List of Provinces

Shinano Province

Shinano Province (信濃国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

Folktales

The folktale The Clever Boar and Monkey is set in this province.⁵

Legenedary Period

Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.⁴

Nara Period

Around 717AD we see the Priest Manzei promoted to the rank of Junior Fourth-rank Upper-grade and subsequently made General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano Provinces.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

The Provinces of Shinano and Echigo were attacked by Takeda Shingen after displacing his father Nobutora in 1541. In 1542 he was made shugo of Shinano by Ashikaga Yoshiteru. A series of later failed alliences led to the Battle of Mitakagahara in 1573 against Oba Nobunaga of which the Takeda were the victors.²

Takeda Katsuyori was daimyō of the Shinano, Kai, Suruga and Kōzuke Province during his lifetime.²

Edo Period

The poet Kobayashi Issa was born here in the village of Kashiwabara in 1736. Here he was educated by a village teacher, his teaching under the name of Shimpo writing haiku.³

Footnotes

1. Miller, R. A.. (1981) “The Lost Poetic Sequence of the Priest Manzei”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.36 No.2 pp.133-172
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Carter, S.D. (1991) “Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology.” California, Stanford University Press.
4. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
5. Ozaki, Y.T. (2015) “Japanese Fairy Tales” USA: Cavalier Classics.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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Mikawa Province

Mikawa Province (三河国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

Nara Period

Priest Manzei was made General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano Provinces.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Takeda Katsuyori invade the province, going against Tokugawa Ieyasu,² however here he was routed by Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga at the Battle of Nagashino in 1581.²³

Footnotes

1. Miller, R. A.. (1981) “The Lost Poetic Sequence of the Priest Manzei”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.36 No.2 pp.133-172
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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Hear about Priest Manzei on Episode 55 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• See also: Priest Manzei Poems
• Period: Nara Period
• Occupation: Governor of Mino, General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano, Udaiben, Buddhist Monk (sami), bettō, Poet
• Family: –
• Birth: –
• Death:-

Priest Manzei

Priest Manzei (満誓 沙弥 – He Who Fulfills the Vow/Compleat Votary) was the religous name of Kasa Maro (笠[朝臣] 麻呂).

His famiy name of Kasa (笠) is cited as almost surley a loan word from Korean into Japanese which could hint at a continental origin for his family.

Though it is not mentioned in the journal being cited for this page currently, the two Kanji in Manzei’s name [朝臣] in the journal translate as Ason. This was a high level rank given to people under the Kabane System.

Life

We first seen Manzei mentioned in 704 where he is given the rank of Junior Fifth-rank Lower-grade. By 706 he is posted as the Governor of Mino Province, which he was posted to again in 708. During this time he oversaw major road projects including the Kiso Highway. His work here led him to be decorated with merit in 714.

By 717 he had progressed to the rank Junior Fourth-rank Upper-grade and we subsequently see him made General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano Provinces.

In 720 he was appointed to the office of Udaiben (Great Councilor of the Right).

Turn to Religion/Exile

In 721 we see Manzei turning to religion, though we are unsure why, he petitioned the throne to ‘leave secular life and enter religion.’ This desire was granted and he became a priest.

This change of careeer coincided with a petition from the throne stating for ‘a hundred consecrated men and women shoud be dedicated to religion as votaries to secure [Empress Genmei’s] recovery,’ as the Empress has fallen ill.

Manzei asked for his career change a mere 6 days after this decree.

Empress Genmei, however, died within the year and following a series of unfortunate events the clergy is chastised for these events. After this we see Manzei posted (exiled) to Kyushu in 723 as a bettō (Intendant) to supervise the construction of Tsukushi Kanzeonji.

During his exile here he comes into contact with Ōtomo no Tabito and other members of the Tsukushi Poetic Circle.

From what we can tell, Manzei lived here until his death, but we do know he had one son with a woman indentured to his temple.

Descendants

In 866 we have records of 3 men who claimed a 5th generational descent from Manzei.

Poetry

In total we know of only 7 poems of Manzei’s that have come down to us.

His poems were cut up and placed in Books 3, 4 and 5 of the Man’yōshū. Luckily their original order was preserved when being placed into this text which has allowed scholars to easily restore them as a poetic sequence. Additionally, the use of colophons and other notations next to these poems has allowed us to establish they were all written by Manzei.

This information has show the sequence was likely written between 723-728, and certainly no later than 730.

The way in which he talks of faith in the poems shows that they only have a ‘veneer’ of Buddhism in them. This is due to the fact that during the time he turned to religion everyone who did so was self ordained and did not need a great understanding of the religion. In fact the title he held of sami translates to ‘cleric of minor orders,’ and not actually a ‘priest’ of Buddhism.

The second poem in his sequence can also be found included in the Shuishū and this poem was subjected to the art of honkadori. For instance, in the Tōkan Kikō it states that Manzei wrote this poem whilst standing on Mt. Hiei gazing over Lake Biwa.

We also see this poem alluded to in the Hōjōki where it states:

‘on mornings when I feel myself short-lived as the white wake building behind a boat, I go to the banks of the river and, gazing at the boats plying to and fro, compose verses in the style of Priest Manzei.’¹

Footnotes

1. Miller, R. A.. (1981) “The Lost Poetic Sequence of the Priest Manzei”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.36 No.2 pp.133-172

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Hear about Kobayashi Issa on Episode 57 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• See also: Kobayashi Issa Poems
  
• Period: Edo Period
• Occupation: Haiku Poet
• Family: Kiku (wife) 8 children
• Birth: 1763
• Death: 1827

Kobayashi Issa

Kobayashi Issa (小林 一茶) was a renowned haiku poet living from 1763 to 1827.¹²³⁴ He went by other names in his life such as Kobayashi Yatarō and Kobayashi Nobuyuki.⁴ Nobuyuki being the name given to him by his parents and his pen name, Issa, means ‘cup of tea.’³

He was born in the village of Kashiwabara, Shinano Province in 1763 where he was educated by a village teacher; this teacher writing haiku under the name of Shimpo. His mother died early when he was young at the age of 2² or 3³ and five years later his father remarried, this new step mother acted rather coldly to Issa making his life difficult.³ In 1777³ Issa moves to Edo where he undertakes an apprectiship under the poet Chikua.²³ After the death of his mentor Issa became haiku teacher,² eventually deciding to become a poet-monk; travelling the country.³

His father passed away in 1801 and so Issa returned home³ however after his death his brother would not give him the half of the family estate he was entitled to making his life quite impoverished until 1813 when he recanted.²³ During the time when his brother would not hand over the money Issa travelled between his home and Edo, finally settling down in Kashiwahara after recieving his money.³

In 1814 Issa married a 27 year old woman called Kiku and they soon have 4 children who sadly all died young. The death of his second child Sato inspired him to write Oraga haru (The Years of My Life in 1820).³ In total he would have 8 children, and remarried in 1827 after the death of his first wife.²

Over the years he has been considered the “champion of little things,” be it children, bugs or frogs. Now he is seen also as a contemplative and descriptive poet, imbuing the spirit of sabi.²

His poetry is also said to include down to earth language, animal imagery through personification as well as a comic spirit and obsession with poverty. All, however, are imbued with the seriousness of Bashō.³

His haiku collections include the following: Kansei kikō (1795), Chichi no shūen nikki (Journal of my Father’s Death 1801) Kyōwa kuchō (1803) Bunka kuchō (1808) Oraga haru (The Years of My Life, 1819) Shichiban nikki (1818) Hachiban nikki (1821) Kuban nikki (1824).⁴

Footnotes

1. Hoffman, Y. (1986) ”Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Carter, S.D. (1991) “Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology.” California, Stanford University Press.
3. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
4. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• First Ruler: –
• Final Ruler: Takeda Katusyori
• Dissolution: Suicide of Katsuyori in 1582.
• Cadet Branches: Aki, Kai, Wakasa
• For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans.

Takeda Clan

The Takeda Clan (武田氏) was a prominent clan and military house during the Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama Periods, taking their name from Takeda in Kai Province.¹

Kamakura Period

The Clan fought during the Taira-Minamoto war (1180) for Minamoto no Yorimoto, as well as taking part in the Jōkyū Disturbance of 1221. Takeda Nobumitsu became shugo of Aki Province for his involvement in the 1221 disturbance, establishing the Aki Branch of the family.¹

Muromachi Period

During the Eikyō Disturbance in 1438 they helped the shogunate in destroying Ashikaga Mochiuji.¹

Takeda Shingen, after displacing his father Nobutora in 1541 aimed to conquer much territory, attacking the provinces of Shinano and Echigo Province. A series of later attempts at failed alliences led to the Battle of Mitakagahara in 1573 against Oda Nobunaga, of which the Takeda were victorious.²

During the Sengoku Period, to help fuel their battles and other exploits, the Takeda gained much of their money from a secret mine located in the Kurokawa Kinzan Mountain (see Oiran Buchi). The gold mining peaked during Takeda Shingen, who used the gold to build a large spy network, adept at using female ninja ‘ku-no-ichi‘. These women posed as anything from, holy women, to servants, to prostitutes who gained intel from his rivals.³

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

After Shingen’s death, his work was left to his son Katsuyori. Katsuyori would eventually fail as his allies left to side with Nobunaga, causing him to eventually flee and commit suicide in 1582.¹

Both main branches of the Takeda (the Kai and Wakasa branches) were destroyed within four months and one week of one another^,1 with the death of Takeda Katusyori marking the end of the family.²

Branch Families

Aki

There were at least 10 Takeda shugo during the Muromachi Shogunate from Aki Province, this lineage started by Takeda Nobumitsu after his involvement in the Jōkyū Disturbance.¹

Kai

This branch fell to Oda Nobunaga in 1582 folowing the exploits of Shingen and his son Katsuyori.¹

Wakasa

An offshoot of the Aki Branch, this lineage of military governors dwelled in Wakasa Province from 1440. These Takeda were known for cultural pursuits, including a compiled set of rules of chivalrous bearing, especially of mounted archery (yabusame). This branch developed a Takeda school of military ettiquette (kyūba kojitsu).

By the late 16th century they fall under the sway of Oda Nobunaga, with the exploits of Takeda Motoaki leading to the destruction of the Wakasa branch.¹

Members of the House

Aki Branch

• Takeda Nobumitsu – d.1248

Kai Branch

• Takeda Katusyori – 1546-82
• Takeda Nobutora – 1498-1574
• Takeda Nobuyoshi – d.1186
• Takeda Shingen – 1521-73

Wakasa Branch

• Takeda Motoaki – 1552-1582

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.

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