Gatehouse, Shirai Gonpachi

Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshiga’s I様様 Iseries of Kuniyoshi with comparisons between the 54 chapters of the Genji novel (Genji monogatari I様, in the form of poems on a scroll) and historical and legendary people of Japan. The scroll shows a poem from the 16. Chapter “Sekiya 16.” of the Genji novel and a border gate. The picture is shown by Shirai Gonpachi (also known as Hirai Gonpachi Das Das 様). Gonpachi and courtesan Komurasaki Gonwere a love couple of the 17th century. Several Kabuki plays are based on their tragic love story. Gonpachi had no money to buy Komurasaki and started stealing and killing to get the money together. But he was caught and executed. A few days later, Komurasaki committed suicide on his grave. Here Gonpachi during the raid of a singer. Heavy rain (white lines).