A Collection of Comical Warriors

(Dôke musha zukushi, 道化武者づくし or 道化武者尽し)

Publisher: Jôshû-ya Kinzô

1839-1842

 

This series satirizes famous stories about warriors.  It is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).  The series was published in at least two states–one with the text and a later printing lacking most of the text.  The images are each about 4.7 by 5 inches (12 by 12.5 centimeters), and six images were printed on a sheet of paper about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.  I am grateful to Robert Pryor for his contributions to this section.

 

 

Text: Kusonoki Masatsura (楠正行)

Description:

 

Text: Parody of Susanoo no Mikoto (すさのおのみこと) and Kushiinadahime (クシイナダヒメ)

Description: Susanoo no Mikoto panics, and Kushiinadahime must defend herself by whacking the kappa (replacing the monster Yamata no Orochi) with her geta (wooden shoe)

 

 

 

Text: Raiko kimi (頼光公)

Description: Raikô with the severed head of Shunte-dôji

 

Text: Raiko Shitenno (頼光四天王)

Description: Raiko and the shitenno (four champions) with the earth spider and apparitions

 

NOTE: Here Raiko is shown as a Rakugo (落語, a traditional story teller who wears a kimono, kneels on a cushion, and uses a fan as a prop) 

 

Text: Hankwai (はんくハゐ),

Description: Rather than bursting the door down with his shield, the Chinese general Fan Kuai, comes a-knocking to the feast with a present and geisha in tow

 

 

 

Text: Yoritomo, Kajiwara, fushikigakure (頼朝 かぢハら ふしきがくれ),

Description: Minamoto Yoritomo hides in the hollow tree after being defeated at Ishibashiyama, while Kajiwara Kagetoki distracts with a pratfall.

 

 

 

Intact ôban sheet as printed 

 

Another state

 

An additional state with minimal text

 

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