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| Stockno.: | 20-244 | Artist: | Utagawa Kunimasa IV 四代 歌川国政 (1848-1920) | Description: | A triptych showing from right to left the actor Ichikawa Sadanji as the barrier keeper Togashi Saemon, Ichikawa Danjūro IX in the role of warrior priest Benkei (disguished as a yamabushi (mountain priest) wearing their clothing and tokin headwear) and Nakamura Fukusuke as Yoshitsune (disguised as a porter).
Published Matsui Eikichi in 1887.
The play depicted is The Subscription List (Kanjinchō). Yoshitsune tries to escape from his half-brother, the shogun Yoritomo by fleeing North, disguising himself as a porter and his right-hand Benkei as a yamabushi, claiming to collect funds for the rebuilding of the burned down Todaiji temple. They are interrogated by barrier keeper Togashi, who quizzes Benkei on his yamabushi knowledge. Togashi asks for the 'subscription list': a must-have for fund raisers. Benkei grabs an empty scroll and pretends to read from it, while Togashi leans in to take a look at this suspicious-looking scroll... | |
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