Background
The Sôsen-ji (Sôzen Temple: 崇禅寺) in Higashi, Osaka was dedicated to the soul of Ashikaga Yoshinori (足利義教 1391-1441), the sixth shôgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, who was murdered in 1441 by Mitsusuke Akamatsu (赤松 満祐 1381-1441), unleashing political chaos that led to a peasant uprising known as the Kakitsu no tokusei ikki(Kakitsu Uprising: 嘉吉の徳政一揆), named after the era Kakitsu (嘉吉 Feb. 1441 – Feb. 1444). Yoshinori was an oppressive and dictatorial ruler who infuriated the Akamatsu clan by planning to award three of the provinces they controlled to a young Ashikaga heir. The Akamatsu arranged for his assassination during a Nô performance at an Akamatsu residence.
The riding grounds of Sôzen-ji was located in a pine grove that extended from the temple's west gate to Sôja-jinja shrine. The grounds were used for training in horseback riding. Katakiuchi Sôzenji baba (Revenge at the riding ground of Sôsen Temple: 敵討崇禅寺馬場) was based on an actual incident that took place at the site of the temple in 1715. In the theatrical puppet and kabuki adaptations, Enjô Jizaemon (遠城治左衛門) and Ando Kihachirô (安藤喜八郎) seek revenge upon Ikuta Denpachirô (生田伝八郎), who had murdered their brother. They confront him at the Sôzen-ji riding ground, but are killed by Ikuta Denhachirô (who enlisted the aid of many allies).
Katakiuchi Sôzenji baba was very popular with kabuki audiences and, among commoners, the grounds became strongly associated with the drama. However, the riding grounds have since been converted into land for housing, and the torii (Shinto shrine archway or gate with two cross beams at the top: 鳥居) has been moved elsewhere.
Design
The play title is given in the large red cartouche at the upper left. Enjô Jizaemon and Ando Kihachirô are shown here apparently approaching the Sôsen-ji by boat as they prepare to avenge their brother's death. The landscape in the middle distance reveals the influence of the Edo master Utagawa Hiroshige.
Horizontal ôban designs were very unusual in kamigata-e, although Yoshitaki seemed fond of the format and produced a slightly higher percentage (though still quite small) within his oeuvre than other Osaka-Kyoto printmakers.
This impression is finely printed and in excellent condition, with a generous margin at the top and an exceptionally large margin on the right.
References: IKBYS-V, no. 2-234
Return to