Actor Nakamura Kichiemon ll as Benkei

102nd design by Kōkei. Actor Nakamura Kichiemon II (b. 1944) as Benkei 弁慶 in the play The Subscription List (Kanjinchō 勧進帳), performed at the Kabuki Theater in January of 1988. Benkei is a wise and powerful warrior-priest who is charged with the protection of the general Minamoto Yoshitsune. Disguised as mountain priests they try to escape north through various checkpoints. At the last one, Benkei lies to be collecting money for a temple and the officer in charge of the checkpoint demands to see the list of supporters. Benkei takes an empty scroll and invents their names, successfully convincing the chief guard to let them pass.