An okodate or chivalrous commoner brandishes his shakuhachi flute at the beginning of a brawl. He wears one sword, as distinguished from a samurai's two. Young men like this tried to protect commoners from the abuses of arrogant samurai and often became folk heroes.
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| Otodake |
Kinoshita Hironobu c.1855
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| Upper right cartouche framed by a pair of sandals, a shakuhachi flute, a towel, a pipe case and tobacco case, and a sword. |
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| Chivalrous Commoners |
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| Five Chivalrous Commoners and Sake Casks |
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| Kunichika (1835 - 1900) |
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Okabe in Suruga The Monster of the Cat Temple
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| Otokodate in a Puppy Kimono |
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| Rogue with Dragon Kimono |
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| Samurai Visiting a Courtesan |
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| Self-defense with shakuhachi |
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| Toyokuni Kunisada Shakuhachi Flute Defense |
After many indecisive skirmishes with the enemy, one night Zi Fang climbed to a mountain overlooking the enemy camp. He played melodies on the flute from the enemy's home province of Chu. He played so sweetly that the warriors were drawn to tears. Tired of fighting, 6000 of the 8000 man force gave up and left for home. The general of the opposing forces realized the futility of fighting on and surrendered.
