Yōshū Chikanobu. Ichikawa Sadanji I as Watōnai and Bandō Kakitsu I as Kinshōjo / Fan Print, 1880s.

Artist: Yōshū Chikanobu [楊洲周延], a.k.a. Toyohara Chikanobu [豊原周延] (Japanese, 1838–1912)

Signed: 周延筆 (Chikanobu hitsu)

Publisher: Enshūya Ichibei [遠州屋市兵衛] (Japanese, before 1875–c.1887); Seal name En’ichi 遠市; family name Watari Ichibei 渡市兵衛; Address Tokyo Nihonbashi Horiechō Nichōme 10-banchi 日本橋堀江町二丁目十番地. Sealed as Watari Ichibei from 1876. Marks 26-165 | 056b

Date: No seal

Media: 団扇絵 (uchiwa-e, fan print), 190 × 175 mm

Play: No play, no performance/theatre identified.

Actors and Roles:

• Ichikawa Sadanji I [市川左団次, old writing 市川左團次] (Japanese, 1842 – 1904); other names: Ichikawa Shōjaku I, Ichikawa Koyone, Ichikawa Tatsuzō.
  • Role: Watōnai (和藤内)
• Bandō Kakitsu I [初代 坂東 家橘] (Japanese, 1847 – 1893); other names: Ichimura Kakitsu V, Ichimura Uzaemon XIV, Ichimura Kakitsu V, Ichimura Uzaemon XIV, Ichimura Takematsu III.
  • Role: Kinshōjo (きんせう女)

For the story behind the characters, see Battle of Coxinga (Kokusenya Kassen – 国性爺合戦) (genre ).

Kokusen’ya Kassen (国性爺合戦) follows Watōnai (和藤内, Coxinga), a Ming loyalist seeking to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore the Ming throne in China. His journey leads him to his sister, Kinshōjo (金照女), who is married to Kanki (関羽), a Qing general. Watōnai urges Kanki to join the Ming cause, but Kanki hesitates, torn between loyalty and survival. Kinshōjo, caught in this conflict, ultimately sacrifices herself, proving her unwavering devotion to family and honour. The play is a grand historical drama filled with intrigue, betrayal, and duty, reflecting themes of loyalty and sacrifice.