Background
Ômi Genji senjin yakata was written by Chikamatsu Hanji, Miyoshi Shôraku, and others, premiering as a puppet play
(ningyô jôruri) in 1769. Originally in twelve acts, it dramatizes the battle over Osaka castle in 1615 when Tokugawa
Ieyasu defeated Toyotomi Hideyori. Due to censorship against depicting events about the Tokugawa, the playwrights used as their "world"
(sekai) the Kamakura period (1185-1333), also changing historical names, as with Sasaki Takatsuna (the historical Sanada Yukimura).
Takatsuna feigns his own death in a brilliant plan to overthrow his younger brother, Saskai Moritsuna (the historical Sanada Nobuyori). When the
shogun Tokimasa (the historical Tokugawa Ieyasu) orders Moritsuna to examine what is purportedly Takatsuna's severed head, Koshirô (Takatsuna's
son) — who has been hiding and not seen the head — commits suicide (seppuku) in a gesture of filial piety. After Moritsuna
examines the face and is shocked to see that it is not his brother's, he remains silent, concealing Takatsuna's plot out of
compassion for his nephew Koshirô's sacrifice. Through his pretense, Moritsuna betrays Tokimasa, leaving himself only one option — to die honorably in battle.
Design
Takatsuna strikes a valiant pose (mie) as he holds a rifle (teppô). The poem by Ryûshakutei reads Takatsuna ni / ataru arashi no / naruko kana
(The storm may strike Takatsuna as a clapper frightens away the birds).* There is a pun on the word arashi (meaning
both "storm" and the actor's lineage name).
Note: Another impression of this design is featured in the 2005-06 exhibition and catalogue "Kabuki Heroes on the Osaka Stage,
1780-1830" at the British Museum, Osaka Museum of History, and Waseda University Theatre Museum.
References: IKBYS-I, no. 91; WAS I-4, no. 137; KNZ, no. 76; OSP, no. 36; KHO, no. 196 * [English translation]; NKE, p. 495
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