Title : Fox Tadanobu

Artist : Toyohara Kunichika

Date : 1898

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : Unlike many of his contemporaries, Kunichika focused almost exclusively on portraits of Kabuki actors in his later work. This print is no exception. The vibrant red on the drum and subject's lips and the flash of deep purple in the robe lining are hallmarks of his careful but exquisite use of color. In the celebrated Kabuki play Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees, first staged in 1748, deception and loyalty run hand-in-hand in the role of the fox spirit Genkurö, pictured here. Using the magic of his kind, Genkurö disguises himself as Minamoto no Yoshitsune's loyal retainer Satö Tadanobu. Soon the ruse is exposed and the fox spirit's motivations come to light: the mystical drum called Hatsune that Yoshitsune carries, as seen in the subject's right hand, was created from the hides of Genkurö's parents. The fox spirit has tracked it down and impersonated Tadanobu in order to be close to it and fulfill his filial obligations. Hearing his story, Yoshitsune and his love Shizuka decide to grant Genkurö the drum and relieve his pain. His quest completed, the fox spirit exits the stage in grand style. However, he is not one to forget generosity. When Yoshitsune and the real Tadanobu are besieged, the fox returns, lending his powers to their cause in a climactic final battle scene under the blossoming cherry trees (seen in the background).

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