Jiraiya modeled after Tokube TENJIKU became popular in books, Joruri (dramatic narrative chanted to a shamisen accompaniment), and kabuki during late Edo Period, and the transformation of Jiraiya into gama no abura (oil of toad) became a popular topic of conversation.
江戸時代後期には天竺徳兵衛をモデルにした自来也ものが読本・浄瑠璃・歌舞伎で当たりし、児雷也の蝦蟇への大変身が話題となった。