Kumasaka Chohan (熊坂長範)

Chohan KUMASAKA was a legendary thief who was said to have lived during the Heian period.

He was said to have been from Kumasaka, Echigo Province. It was said that he attacked Ushiwakamaru at Akasaka-jyuku Station, Mino Province while Ushiwakamaru was heading towards Oshu (Mutsu Province) accompanied by Kichiji KANEURI, but Chohan was eventually defeated by Ushiwakamaru.

People have adopted his story for both Noh and Kabuki performances.

[Original Japanese]