A modern senjafuda [千社札] of a kabuki actor as Benten Kozō [弁天子僧]

Print

---

Dimensions:10 in x 14.8 in (Overall dimensions) Medium:color woodblock print
Links National Gallery of Australia -similar watercolor from 1950 by Natori Shunsen
Lyon Collection - 1985 Kokei print Description:What are senjafuda (千社札)?

Generally senjafuda, literally 'thousand shrine tags', are small, narrow pieces of paper that are pasted onto the walls or ceilings of temples and shrines asking for something. They are placed there by pilgrims. However, sometimes they aren't asking for anything in particular, but have been placed there by the pilgrim to show that he had come there himself.

A variation of the senjafuda is the kōkanfuda (交換札) or 'exchange slips' that were more elaborately designed and then were traded within a group of like-minded devotees. Perhaps, that is what this print in the Lyon Collection is.

****

There are two prints of Benten Kozō in the Lyon Collection with his bloody forehead clearly on display.

****

In an article in the Japan Times from April 14, 2004 Rei Sasaguchi wrote:

"Act II [of Shiranami Gonin otoko] closes with a glorious “presentation” of the five gallantly dressed men, who stand under blossoming trees on the bank of the Inase River, holding umbrellas on which is written “shiranami.” Each man delivers a brief self-introduction, before starting to fight a troop of policemen."

****

The National Theater of Japan wrote: "Benten Kozo is a quintessential character from the shiranami-mono genre, in which thieves are the main characters. One highlight is the scene in which, having pretended to be a young woman, he is defiant at being caught out as a man and makes his identity clear, saying, “You say you don’t know, so listen to me.” He initially wears a high bun and a long-sleeved, black kimono, but when caught out he removes one sleeve so we can see his cherry blossom tattoo."
Related entity Shiranami Gonin Otoko (白浪五人男) (kabuki)

---