Utagawa Toyokuni I (初代歌川豊国) (artist 1769 – 02/24/1825)
Onoe Kikugorō III (尾上菊五郎) as Chūshingura character Kanpei (勘平) at the back gate of Tadayoshi castle
07/17/1816
9.875 in x 14.5 in (Overall dimensions) Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Publisher: (Probably) Enomotoya Kichibei
(Marks 054 - seal 02-025)
Censor seal: kiwame
Waseda University
Waseda University - a related print of the same subject published by Yamamotoya Heikichi
Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna - ca. 1750 Kiyonobu II print of Kanpei before the back gate of the Tadayoshi castle
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - 1832 Kuniyoshi diptych of Kanpei trying to get back into the castle to help his lord
Rijksmuseum - Kiyomitsu I ca. 1755-60 of Kanpei trying to get back into the castle The actor's name and his role is printed on the door posts behind him: Onoe Kikugorō (尾上菊五郎) as Kanpei (勘平).
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Hayano Kanpei (早野勘平) is both one of the least important figures of the Kanadehon Chūshingura [仮名手本忠臣蔵] and one of the most important ones at the same time. He was the only retainer on duty to his lord Enya Hangan when the dramatic turn of events took place and led to the lord's ordered suicide. That, of course, led to the full-on story of the 'Tale of the 47 Loyal Retainers' who were determined to seek revenge for their lord's shame and consequent demise.
Kanpei was in love with Otaru and was wooed away from his post for a tryst with her. If he hadn't left his post then things might have turned out differently for his master. But because he did not do his honor-bound duty he was not included in the group of loyal retainers who would seek redress for what had happened.
Kanpei's dereliction of duty takes place in Act 3. Pierre Wijermans and Henk Herwig wrote on page 59 in Andon 84 in an article entitled 'Mitate kokkei Chūshingura: Hiroshige's humorous parodies of the Loyal Retainers' in November, 2008:
"Unaware of the events taking place within the palace, Hayano Kanpei, a retainer of Enya Hangan, and his girlfriend Okaru, lady Kaoyo's maid, linger at the rear gate of the palace exchanging amorous words. At the sudden uproar, Kanpei attempts to enter the palace but is refused. The gatekeepers tell him that his master has committed a serious offence by drawing his sword inside the palace and inflicting a wound on Moronao.
When Kanpei learns that lord Hangan is already being taken home as a prisoner, he is bewildered and feels so ashamed of having neglected his duty that he decides to commit suicide on the spot. Okaru dissuades him and suggests that they go to the village of Yamazaki in the countryside, where her parents live. At the point of their departure onto the Tōkaidō highway - which is performed in the real play as a travel dance (michiyuki) - they are intercepted by Sagisaka Bannai and four armed attendants, who attempt to arrest Kanpei. By arresting Kanpei, Bannai hopes to be able to run off with Okaru, with whom he is in love. In the ensuing fight Kanpei gives Bannai a severe beating, and is only prevented from killing him by Okaru's interception."
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Onoe Kikugorō III (三代目尾上菊五郎: 11/1815-3/1848) (actor)
Chūshingura (忠臣蔵 - 47 rōnin) (genre)
Enomotoya Kichibei (榎本屋吉兵衛) (publisher)
Hayano Kanpei (早勘平) (role)