Comment - Image of actor Onoe Kikugoro-III (Onoe Kikugorō-Sandaime, 尾上 菊五郎-三代目 aka Okawa Hashizo, aka Onoe Eizaburō-I) (1784-1849) in the role of Aragorō Mohei (荒五郎茂兵衛) in the kabuki stageplay Otonikiku icho no kusemono (音菊高麗恋) .

The kabuki character is associated with the Soga monogatari which was traditionally staged at the New Year. Onoe Kikugoro's padded outer-robe is decorated with designs of toys, including a sea bream, a fish typically served during New Year celebrations. Several kites roam the sky. Upper right is a classical reddish Hawk kite (tonbi tako, (鳶凧), the upper center shows an Edo kaku kite (江戸角凧), left to him floats a Yakko kite (奴凧), above him is another Hawk kite is to be seen. Implied clouds cover the background of the print. Left  below the Yakko kite is another Edo kaku to be seen. Below him is a kite line reaching out to the left.

This print s part of a triptych. The other panels ae supposed to illustrate the actors Ichikawa Ebizo V (市川 海老蔵-五代目, aka Ichikawa Danjuro-VII, 1791-1859) as Shoki Hanbei (鐘馗半兵衛) and Iwai Shijaku I (初代岩井紫若, aka Hanshiro, 1804-1845).

Series - ~


Artist - see Biography


Signature - Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画) lower right, with censor's seal (改印) 'kiwame' ('極')


Publisher - Kawaguchiya Chōzō (川口屋長蔵) with publisher's mark (Marks 17-013 (230a)

Image Size - 37.2 X  24.5cm   (14 5/8" x 10")


Condition - single sheet; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);