Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) Ichikawa Danhuro VIII as Benkei in a Scene from Kanjincho, 1875. Oban triptych.
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A fantastic design, full of punch and Meiji bravura but with subtlety and great drawing. The play… or dance drama, is very famous and great fun. Sometimes called The Subscription List, the play takes as its subject a minor scene in the escape of the 12th century hero Yoshitsune with his faithful companion Benkei.
Togachi Saemon, an intelligent, well-educated aristocrat appears, accompanied by his men, and explains that he is the guardian of a security barrier and asks his men to look out for Minamoto Yoshitsune who is believed to be fleeing north in disguise.
Yoshitsune enters dressed as a porter, followed by four retainers. When the party arrives at the barrier, Benkei, an ex-priest, announces to the guards that they are priests wishing to pass the barrier. He goes on to say that they have been sent to collect funds for the restoration of a Temple. But Togashi and his soldiers reply that the party may not pass unless they can prove themselves to be genuine priests. Togashi asks Benkei for a list of contributors. Benkei is rather taken aback by this request, and his momentary confusion confirms Togashi's suspicions. However, Benkei goes to the back of the stage and returns with a blank scroll, which he unwinds and begins reading aloud. Togashi asks Benkei about the costume and equipment of a priest and the meaning of some difficult Buddhist terms. Benkei answers all these questions correctly.
Togashi is very impressed by Benkei's display of knowledge, and says there is no longer any suspicion. He thanks Benkei for having given him the chance to come into contact with Buddhism and asks to make his own offering to the fund. Just as Benkei's party is about to go through the barrier, however, one of Togashi's soldiers calls his attention to the porter in the rear, saying he resembles Yoshitsune. Togashi can't ignore this. Benkei pretends to be angry and beats Yoshitsune declaring that if he is suspect, Togashi is welcome to detain him; as he watches Benkei beat his master, he realises deeply what a predicament it must be for his loyalty. When Benkei offers to beat him to death, if necessary, Togashi begs him to restrain himself. The crisis over, Benkei's party goes on with their journey.
Kunichika has shown Benkei in the centre reading aloud from the blank scroll with Togachi Saemon on the right and Yoshitsune on the left of the print. Rather cleverly, Kunichika has also made the entire scene appear as if drawn onto an actual scroll… creating a kind of palimpsest; a picture within a picture.
The print is slightly trimmed, the three sheets are unattached, glue residue suggests a previous album backing. Condition is fair, the colour is very good and a good impression.
72 x 35 cm.
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