Background
The "Tale of the bamboo cutter" (Taketori monogatari, 竹取物語), which dates back to the late ninth or early tenth century, is considered the oldest surviving fictional prose narrative (monogatari, 物語) in Japan. The story describes the life of Kaguya-hime, a princess from the Moon who is discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. Many years later, her beauty attracts five suitors seeking her hand in marriage, whom she turns away by challenging each of them with an impossible task. Later, she becomes the object of desire of the Emperor, but she rejects him as well. At the tale's end, Kaguya-hime reveals her celestial origins and returns to the Moon.
How this tale serves as the inspiration for the present kabuki play remains a puzzle to us.
Design
Kuniyoshi's design is surely one of his most impressive polyptychs. A carefully balanced wealth of details make this a remarkably potent design. On the right, Shiba Shôgun Ryûei approaches Go Dôshi, who has subdued an adversary as he presses his sword against the throat of his foe. Meanwhile, the young Tagoto also makes her way toward Go Dôshi. Above her is a fierce dragon hovering in dark rain clouds that have emerged from a painting in the alcove on the far right sheet. The combination of terrestrial confrontation with a supernatural presence makes this a memorable composition.
The signboard behind Go Dôshi on the center sheet proclaims that the "new play" (shin kyôgen, 新狂言) was a very big hit (atari dai dai, 當大々). It reads, in full: 盆替新狂言豊晴助伐大當大々叶.
This is a rare design by Yoshikuni. We have seen very few impressions over the years, and even fewer with such strong colors as in our example.
References:
- KNP-6, p. 127
- TWOP, pp. 253-254, nos. 377abc (inv no. 69-208-357)
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