The Two Bullies

by Junko Morimoto

Winner of Australia's Children's Book Council Picture Book of the Year Award (burst or headline)

What happens with Ni-ou, the self-proclaimed "strongest fellow in Japan" rows to China to challenge his counter part, Dokkoi? Not what you'd expect. These two enormous bullies are big on brawn but low on bravery--and brains! Soon Ni-oi is hiding in the bathroom after hearing Dokkoi's thunderous footsteps. And Dokkoi is duped by the false show of Ni-oi's strength. Before they know ti, both bullies are back safe at home, grateful that they never had to fight. Eve since that day, when people in China lift up something heavy, they say, "Ni-ou!" And in Japan they say, "Dokkoi-sho!" The short accessible text makes this folktale perfect for younger children. With hilarious illustrations by an award-winning Japanese artist and the silly antics of two goofy bullies, this story proves that bigger isn't necessarily better.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Japan

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 20, 1999

About the author

Junko Morimoto (1932–) graduated from Kyoto University of Fine Art and worked as an art teacher at an Osaka high school before becoming Art Director of the Children's Art Studio in Osaka. Her books, which include The Inch Boy, Mouse's Marriage, and My Hiroshima, have been published in the United States, Japan, Australia, England, and other European countries. My Hiroshima is now used as a text in Hiroshima high schools to study English and to promote peace. Junko currently lives in Australia.

Reviews

[Kirah Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. The Two Bullies is about two very strong men. Ni-Ou is from Japan, and he is the strongest man there. Then he hears of Dokkoi the strongest man in China. Ni-Ou decides he must travel to China to duel Dokkoi to prove his strength. He travels to China and finds Dokkoi's house, but he is not yet home. Ni-Ou waits. Then he hears Dokkoi's steps from miles away and decides that Dokkoi is clearly much bigger and stronger than he is. He decides to escape out the window and go back to Japan. Dokkoi sees his footsteps and wants to duel, but Ni-Ou is already sailing away. Dokkoi casts out an anchor and starts to pull Ni-Ou back. Ni-Ou breaks the chain, and goes back home. In each of their countries, they tell stories of how strong the other was.
2. Appropriate grade level is 2-4th.
3. You could read this book when talking about folktales.
4. Boys would gravitate towards this book.
5. You could have the students research the history of this folktale in small groups.
6. You could read this book aloud and have the students guess which man will be the winner even though they never duel.
7. Related texts are Lon Po Po and Big Nuisance.
8. This book has read aloud video versions on YouTube.

[Seema Rao · Rating 3 out of 5]

An origin story about the Nio figures outside temples. Can’t say if the story is the author’s creation or something in popular lore. Amusing but children might need a little backstory to get it.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting-if-true story about the sound people make when lifting heavy things. Not sure why the strong men are described as bullies though, unless Morimoto is trying to make an extremely obique point about power differences in society, but I don't think that's what's going on here.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do like that this book shows that brains really does beat brawn, but the ending was very disappointing and uneventful. I do believe this could have been written a lot better.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way of explaining winners and losers to a class. It shows no real winners or losers, Hero’s and villains. It reminds children not to think they are better than others

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of two strong men: Ni-ou from Japan and Dokkoi from China. Ni-ou believed he was the strongest man until he heard of Dokkoi in China. So he rowed a boat to China to meet this man. However, while he was waiting for him he heard noises that sounded like an earthquake. When he asked Dokkoi's mother what the sound was she informed him that those were her son's footsteps. She could hear him coming from miles away. Frightened, Ni-ou fled out the bathroom window. When Dokkoi found that Ni-ou had fled he went after him. Dokkoi tried to stop Ni-ou's boat by catching it with an anchor. But Ni-ou cut through the anchor with a tiny file that a holy man had given him. Both strongmen were grateful they never met the other.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Junko Morimoto's illustrations are fantastic. My favourite is the Ni-ou crossing the Pacific Ocean to reach China.

Junko's modus operandi of taking traditional Japanese folk tales, translating them into English and beautifully illustrating them is a winner. The traditional tales have stood the test of time - and are thus all great stories. The translation opens these stories up to an English-speaking (or -reading!) audience.

For a Japanese folk tale it is interesting that Chinese strong man (Dokkoi) is obviously superior to the Japanese strong man (Ni-ou)...

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without context it makes no sense. "Translated from an original Japanese story..." is ambiguous... is it traditional or not? And the strong men are not bullies; they're just young men proud of their strength.

[Jax Goss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of cute. A bit silly, in a good way.