What is One-inch boy?
The '''one-inch boy''', or '''Issun-bōshi''', is a character in a [[Japanese language|Japanese]] [[fairy tale]]. The story begins with an old, childless couple who live alone. The elderly woman [[wish]]es for a child, even though she's old. Eventually, a son was born to them, but their son was only an [[inch]] (2.5&nbsp;centimetres) tall. They named the miniature child Issun-bōshi. The old couple takes good care of him even though he is small. One day, Issun finds out he will never [[grow]], so he goes on a trip to seek his place in the world. He thinks he might become a good [[warrior]], so Issun-bōshi is given a [[sewing needle]] for a [[sword]], a soup [[bowl]] for a [[boat]], and [[chopsticks]] for [[oar]]s. He sails down river to the city, where he asks for a job with the government and goes to the home of a rich ''daimyo'' ([[Nobleman|lord]]), whose daughter is an attractive [[princess]]. They say no because he is so tiny, but give him a job entertaining the princess. While they travel together, they are attacked by a big [[monster]] that swallows Issun-boshi. The boy defeats the monster by pricking him from within with his needle/sword. The monster spits out Issun-boshi and drops a magical Uchide's Mallet as he runs away. As a reward for his bravery, the princess uses the power of the mallet to make him grow. Issun-bōshi and the princess stay friends and get [[Marriage|married]] later. [[Category:Fairies]] [[Category:Japanese folklore]]