Li Zhong, the Tiger-Fighting General (Daskoshō Richū - 打虎將李忠) from the series from <i>108 Heroes of the Popular Suikoden All Told</i> (<i>Tsūzoku Suikoden gōketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori</i> - 通俗水滸伝豪傑百八人之一個)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) (artist 01/01/1797 – 04/14/1861)

Li Zhong, the Tiger-Fighting General (Daskoshō Richū - 打虎將李忠) from the series from 108 Heroes of the Popular Suikoden All Told (Tsūzoku Suikoden gōketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori - 通俗水滸伝豪傑百八人之一個)

Print


1827 – 1830
10.125 in x 14.75 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga
一勇斎国芳画
Publisher: Kagaya Kichiemon
(Marks 194)
Censor's seal: kiwame
British Museum
Tokyo National Museum Inge Klompmakers wrote: "Once Kyūmonryū Shishin's teacher in the martial arts, Dakoshō Richū subsequently earns his livelihood as a travelling medicine vendor and eventually decides to become a robber captain. He commands a gang of some 700 men residing on Peach blossom [sic] mountain (J. Tokazan). In chapter 4 Richū seeks revenge against the man who has beaten up his second-in-command, but when he discovers that he is in fact his best friend Kaoshō Rochishin... the two men celebrate their reunion rather than fight. Later in the novel, in chapter 56, general Sōben Koenshaku and his enormous army set out for Peach blossom [sic] mountain in retaliation for the robbery of the general's horse by a couple of Richū's robbers. Richū requests backup from the neighboring robber gangs in order to stave off the attack. The heroes of the Ryōsanpaku gang also assist Richū and they successfully overthrow the general who - having lost face over his ignominious defeat - is unable to face the authorities. Together with Richū and the robbers of Peach blossom [sic] and White tiger [sic] (J. Byakkozan) mountains, Koenshaku joins the Ryōsanpaku legion in chapter 57."

"In Kuniyoshi's design Richū is surrounded by two retainers. The man in the background assists Richū in fastening his headgear. The hero's wealth and rank are indicated by the golden insignia on his armour and the design of twelve branches on his robe. The Kagaya publisher's seal is written in kanji ('Chinese characters') and not in hiragana (cursive Japanese syllabary) as is usual in this series. This particular print of Richū is rare." [The choice of bold type is ours.]

Quoted from Of Brigands and Bravery: Kuniyoshi's Heroes of the Suikoden by Inge Klompmakers, page 48.

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Li Zhong first appears in Chapter 3 in the Chinese version of the tale of the marsh bandits.
Lu Da and Shi Jin strolled down the street arm in arm. Before they had gone fifty paces they saw many people gathered around an open plot of ground.

"Let's take a look," Shi Jin suggested.

They pushed through the crowd. There in the center was a man holding a dozen or so staves. Various packets of salves and ointments, with prices marked, were arrayed on a platter on the ground. The man was a medicine pedlar who attracted customers by putting on a show with weapons.

Shi Jin recognized him. It was his first arms instructor Li Zhong, nicknamed the Tiger-Fighting General.

"Teacher," called Shi Jin. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"What are you doing here, young brother?" Li Zhong cried.


"Since you're Young Master Shi's teacher," said Lu Da, come and have a few cups with us."

"Gladly, just as soon as I've sold some of these medicines and earned some money."

"Who's got time to wait? Come on, if you're coming."

"Mine is a hand-to-mouth existence, Major. Go ahead. I'll catch up with you later.... Young brother, you go on first with the major.

Lu Da was very irritated. He roughly shoved the spectators aside. "Haul your ass holes out of here or I'll beat you to a pulp," he bellowed.

The crowd, recognizing him, hastily scattered. Li Zhong was angry, but he dared not protest. Lu Da was obviously much too fierce. "How impatient you are," Li said with a placating smile. He gathered up his arms and medicines, gave them to a friend for safe-keeping, and set off with Shi Jin and the major.
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Notice that in the area of Daskoshō Richū's apron, immediately behind the kneeling supplicant are several of the animals of the Zodiac: on the left are the hare, the dragon, the rat and the ox; on the right are the monkey, the goat and the snake.

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Illustrated in a full-page in a color reproduction in Of Brigands and Bravery: Kuniyoshi's Heroes of the Suikoden by Inge Klompmakers, Hotei Publishing, 1998, #4, page 49.
Kagaya Kichiemon (加賀屋吉右衛門) (publisher)
Suikoden (水滸傳) (genre)