組解説:Jiraiya Gôketsu Monogatari (the Heroic Tales of Jiraiya in English) was premiered in the 7th lunar month of 1852 at the theater Kawarasakiza. This drama was based on the Jiraiya Gôketsu Monogatari popular series of illustrated books (kusazôshi), which were written by Mizugaki Egao (1789~1846), Keisai Eisen (1790~1848), Ryûkatei Tanekazu (1807~1858) and Ryûsuitei Tanekiyo (1821~1907). They were published in Japan from 1839 to 1868 (43 volumes). The hero of these books was modeled on a Chinese Robin Hood look-alike story. Utagawa Kunisada I and six disciples illustrated the books and they used the face of the great and extremely popular Kabuki star Onoe Kikugorô III to depict Jiraiya. In modern times, Jiraiya Gôketsu Monogatari was successfully revived in March 1975 at the National Theatre [casting]. Onoe Kikunosuke V, the young heir of the Otowaya guild, played the role of Jiraiya in the revival which was produced in Nagoya at the Misonoza in April 2004. https://www.kabuki21.com/jiraiya.php
