Specially commissioned doll
Edo period (1603–1868)
Donated by Saitō Shōji
These dolls represents Genkurō, a young fox disguised as Satō Tadanobu, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune; and the Lady Shizuka in the kabuki play Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees).
Originally written in 1747 for the jōruri puppet theater by Takeda Izumo II, Miyoshi Shōraku and Namiki Senryū I, it was adapted to kabuki the following year. In this part of the story, Lady Shizuka beats the Hatsune Drum — owned by Yoshitsune — to summon Tadanobu, who she unveils as a fox in disguise. It is revealed that the drum was made from the skins of Genkurō’s parents, and for centuries, the fox has sought out the drum to fulfil his duties towards his parents. After hearing his story, Shizuka and Yoshitsune decide to grant him the drum.