Netsuke with Fox and Drum from the Kabuki Play "Yoshsitsune Senbon-Zakura"
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This netsuke shows a scene from the Kabuki play Yoshitsune Senbon-Zakura. Tadanobu, a fox in human form served as a faithful retainer to the Minamoto military leader Yoshitsune. After the Minamoto victory over the Heike clan, Yoshitsune fell into a power struggle with his brother and was forced to flee. Tadanobu brought Shizuka, a noted dancer who was also Yoshitsune's love, to his hiding place in Yoshino. Shizuka carried with her the drum known as "Hatsure", which was made from the skin of Tadanobu's parents. After Yoshitsune discovered Tadanobu's real identity, he presented him with the drum.
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