This Ataka Barrier Ruin (Ataka-no-Seki) is close to the shoreline of the Sea of Japan in Komatsu. The Barrier Ruin is surrounded by pine trees (as seen in the photo - path to the right).
The bronze statues are: Yoshitsune, Benkei and Togashi.
Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance/drama.
The "Kanjincho" kabuki play: This is a morality play about courage, loyalty, compassion, wisdom, and fairness. The play takes place in the 12 century and is based on the lives of real people. Togashi had the responsibility of defending a gate on a road and looking for a samurai warrior named Yoshitsune who angered his brother Yoritomo who hunted Yoshitsune. Yoshitsune and his follower Benkei approached Togashi and told him that they were priests seeking donations for a temple. Togashi told them that in order to pass through the gate they need to prove they were priests. Togashi asked them to produce a kanjincho, a list of those who already donated. Benkei did not have such a list but pulled out a blank scroll and faked reading a list of names from it. Togashi then looked at the scroll and saw it was blank. Togashi admired Benkei's skill, daring and devotion. Togahsi let the pair pass through the gate after he then asked Benkei some difficult questions about Buddhism and priesthood which Benkei answered correctly. Benkei and Yoshitsune were then immediately stopped by a guard who believed he recognized Yoshitsune. Benkei claimed Yoshitsune was his personal porter and started to beat Yoshitsune (Benkei's superior) for causing trouble. Togashi again realized the two were faking but did not reveal it because he was impressed with Benkei's devotion to his superior. Yoshitsune and Benkei were then allowed passed through the gate. Benkei then apologized to Yoshitsune for hitting him. Yoshitsune cried.
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