YOSHIIKU, "Ichikawa Ichizô-III and Nakamura Tsurusuke-IV with

Comment - A scene from a musical drama with the actors Ichikawa Ichizô-III (right) as a Yakko kite (yakko-dako, 奴凧) and Nakamura Tsurusuke-IV (left), sitting on a Hawk kite (tonbi-tako, 鳶凧), both hanging above the musicians.

Ichikawa Ichizô III is playing the role of Yakko Takobei in the drama "Mata Meguri Kuruwa no Irodako", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1862 at the Moritaza Theater (守田). Nakamura Tsurusuke-IV (left) is playing the role of the Yakko Musôbei. Names of both actors in the respective casettes adjacent to them.

Several singers and three shamisen players accompany the drama. One of the singers bent forward, maybe he didn't remember the lyrics. The music drama or "Jôruri" (浄瑠璃) is a ballad style performance , and is a chanted narration with shamisen accompaniment. This music drama is taking its material from the tales of Princess Jôruri (Jôrurihime), famous during the Muromachi Period (1392-1573).

The title of the diptych is drawn on the right panel's right side in capital black characters; a complete casting list of the music drama is written below. The story is based on a fairytale by Bakin. There are several ukiyo-e prints depicting this popular ballad and these famous actors.

Series - ~

Artist - see Biography

Signature - Ikkeisai Yoshiiku-ga (一恵斎芳幾画) on right panel next to the publishers seal, and Yoshiiku-ga (芳幾画) on left panel in the yellowish otoshidama cassette under th beak of the hawk; cp. circular censor's seal

Publisher - Ōta-ya Takichi (太田屋多吉) as Hori Takichi (彫多吉) from cut seal underneath the central shamisen player; a combined circular censor's and date seal is to be seen left to the otoshidama on the left panel (戌二改, Dog 2 aratame); no blockcutter's mark visible

Image Size - 35.0 x 49.0cm (13 13/16" x 19 1/4") as shown

Condition - diptych; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); vertical ôban (ôban tate-e); two panels attached at the seams (on cardboard); the print is slightly clipped off

YOSHIIKU

(1833 - 1904)