| Synopsis |
Ikkyu-san The series is set in the Muromachi period. Although the shogun、 Ashikaga Yoshimitsu、 has resorted peace following the conflict between the Northern and Southern Courts、 an ominous atmosphere still looms over the land. Sengikumaru was born to the emperor、 but owing to the opposition between his maternal grandfather and the Ashikaga clan、 the shogun orders that he be sent to Ankokuji Temple to become a young monk. There he assumes the name “Ikkyu.” The intelligent Ikkyu uses his wit to solve various problems、 which earns him the nickname “Witty Boy Ikkyu-san.” The episodes are based on tales from traditional Japanese folklore that have been passed down to this day、 with a touch of humor. Ikkyu solves various problems、 ranging from helping common folk deal with everyday matters to exposing the fraudulent business practices of Kikyoya、 a merchant and purveyor to the shogunate. He also tackles whimsical “wit tests” that are given to him by the shogun. In some scenes、 on the other hand、 Ikkyu is agonized to see the common people getting caught up in war、 which reflects the reality at the time. In the last episode、 Ikkyu leaves Ankokuji Temple to set out on a journey to become a respectable monk.The series was produced based on a plan from the 1960s to adapt folklore into animation. It ran for almost 300 episodes on the Nippon Educational Television (NET) network (TV Asahi from 1977) from October 15、 1975 to June 28、 1982. Many screenwriters were involved in the production、 with names such as Makoto Tsuji、 who wrote Mighty Atom and Kimba the White Lion、 and Keisuke Fujikawa、 who wrote Galaxy Express 999 and Space Battleship Yamato. It achieved a highest audience rating of 27.2% in the Kanto region and 42% in the Kansai region. The opening theme、 “Tonchinkanchin Ikkyu-san、” became a million-seller、 ranking first for the year 1976 in the TV/Manga and Children’s Songs categor y of the Oricon Singles Chart.
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