Kanjincho

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Kanjinchō (勧進帳, The Subscription List) is a Japanese kabuki play by Namiki Gohei III. It is one of the most popular plays in the modern kabuki repertory.

The play depicts one of the adventures of the legendary general Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his cunning servant Saito Musashibo Benkei. Yoshitsune is trying to travel across the country in disguise to avoid capture by his brother, Prince Minamoto no Yoritomo. Benkei disguises Yoshitsune as a porter, and himself as a priest and tries to bluff his way past Togashi, a samurai charged with killing Yoshitsune. Benkei fakes Buddhist chanting, and even beats Yoshitsune in an attempt at convincing Togashi that he is who he says he is. Togashi is not convinced, but is so impressed by Benkei's skill and daring that he lets them pass anyway. Both Benkei and Togashi are profoundly moved by their unspoken rapport. At the end of the play, Benkei dances to celebrate his triumph.

Akira Kurosawa's film The Men Who Tread On the Tiger's Tail is partly based on Kanjinchō.

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