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TOYOKUNI-III (KUNISADA)(1786 - 1864) |
| 'The First
Performance of the Period of Aikyou Soga' |
 'The First Performance
of the Period of Aikyou Soga' |
Comment - Scene from the Kabuki play "Hatsushiba imu tsumaji Soga" at the Nakamura Theater in Edo. This triptych is a mitate, an imaginary performance, meaning that it is an imaginary scene with actors who never actually appeared together on stage in these roles. The play includes actors in roles from two different plays by publisher Maru-ya Seijirô about the Soga Brothers that were performed in the 1st month of 1833. At right, the beauty Osayo stares over her shoulder with a crazed grin as she twists the hand of a man (not named), forcing him off balance while holding a package out in her other hand. Her Kimono features an interesting pattern of kites, including three yakko-dako kites (upper right arm, lower left arm, kimono, lower left above left geta, together with a kiteline spool). A yakko-dako or man kite ("yakko dako", "奴凧") is a footman of a Samurai. Underneath the upper yakko kite, the sleeve of her left arm shows a Hawk kite (Tonbi-tako, 鳶凧) and a kiteline spool. Next to the yakko on her right arm's sleeve is an insect kite. Lower centre, under the raised foot of the man is a brownish bird kite. The broad beak suggests to be a swallow kite (tsubame [no] tako, 燕の凧). Al least five edo kaku kites are scattered over her kimono, visible on the upper tension cords, and the protruding ends of the kite frame rods. These edo kakus seem to be kanji kites (blue with white kanji). In the center, Genzaburo looks up with a slightly worried expression, while the barber Gokumon Shobei frowns angrily at left. The scene takes place at a tea stand, where blue and white ceramic cups and other containers rest on shelves and a tobacco set can be seen on a bench, and blossoming plum branches beyond. From left, the actors are Nakamura Shikan II (中村芝翫 二代) or Utaemon IV, Mimasu Gennosuke I 三升源之助（初代), and Iwai Tojaku I (岩井東雀 初代). |
Artist - see Biography (TOYOKUNI-III) Signature - Gototei Kunisada ga 五渡亭 国貞畫 on all three panels Publisher - Ezakiya Tatsuo (江崎屋辰蔵) with Etatsu-han seal; with censor's seals on all three panels Image Size - (Tryptich) 33.1 x 78.1 cm (15" x 30 3/4") Condition - Triptych, three separate panels; woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; all vertical ôban (tate-e); |
Copyright 2008 ff: Hans P. Boehme