Artwork
Actor Nakamura Utaemon III (Shikan) as Ishikawa Goemon at the Battle of Okehazama (Okehazama Gassen)
Actor Nakamura Utaemon III (Shikan) as Ishikawa Goemon at the Battle of Okehazama (Okehazama Gassen) is a print by the Romanticist artist Shunkōsai Hokushū. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This print, created in 1826 by Shunkōsai Hokushū, depicts a kabuki actor in a dramatic role. It is a woodblock print held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Nakamura Utaemon III as Ishikawa Goemon at the Battle of Okehazama. The actor's bold face paint and elaborate costume, including a red wig and black robe, convey the character's emotions and identity as a warrior.
Technique & Style
The print features bright colors and dramatic makeup, characteristic of kabuki theater. The simple background allows the actor's costume and pose to take center stage, with a curved sword and fan or scroll adding to the dynamic composition.
Artist & collection
Artist
Shunkōsai Hokushū spent his life in Osaka, where the city’s lively theater scene shaped his work.
初代嵐橘三郎 （二代目嵐吉三郎） の惟高親王|The Actor Arashi Kitsusaburō I (Kichisaburō II) as Prince Koretaka
「大判事清澄 坂東三津五郎」（三代）・「久我之助 嵐小六」（四代）|Bandō Mitsugorō III as Daihanji Kiyozumi and Arashi Koroku IV as Koganosuke
春好斎北洲画 初代浅尾勇次郎・初代市川鰕十郎 『傾城佐野の船橋』|Kabuki Actors Asao Yūjirō as Sano Genzaemon and Ichikawa Ebijūrō I as Miura Arajirō, in the play Keisei Sano no Funabashi
春好斎北洲画 三代目中村歌右衛門 『一世一代当狂言』|Kabuki Actor Nakamura Utaemon III as the Sword Master Kyōgoku Takumi, from the series Issei ichidai atari Kyōgen (Hits of a Lifetime of Kyōgen)
春好斎北洲画 初代市川鰕十郎 「紅紫大坂潤」|Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Ebijūrō I as Tōken (China Dog) Jūbei, in the play Benimurasaki ai de someage (Red and Purple, Rich Dyes of Osaka)
Untitled
Nakamura Utaemon as Inanoya Hanbei
Actor Ichikawa Ebijūrō I as Tōken (China Dog) Jūbei, in the play Red and Purple, Rich Dyes of Osaka (Benimurasaki ai de someage)
Nakamura Nakazo II as Matsuomaru in the Carriage-Stopping Scene
Nakamura Utaemon IV as Ono Sadakuro in Act Five of Kanadehon Chushingura, Naka Theater
東洲斎写楽画 三代目大谷鬼次の奴江戸兵衛|Kabuki Actor Ōtani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei
Nakamura Utaemon III as the Monkey Trainer Yojiro (from the series Famous Kabuki Plays)
東洲斎写楽画 三世坂田半五郎の藤川水右衛門 『花菖蒲文禄曽我』|Sakata Hangorō III as Fujikawa Mizuemon in the Play "Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga"
Arashi Rikan II as Kizu Kansuke
「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei
三代目市川高麗蔵の志賀大七|Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Komazō III as Shiga Daishichi in the Play A Medley of Tales of Revenge (Katakiuchi noriaibanashi)
三代目市川海老蔵の篠塚伊賀守定綱|The Actor Ichikawa Ebizō III as Shinozuka Iga no kami Sadatsuna in a Shibaraku Scene
当世好男子伝」松 「花和尚魯智深に比す朝比奈藤兵衛」|The Actor Nakamura Fukusuke I as Asahina Tōbei, likened to Lu Zhishen the Tattooed Priest (Kaoshō Rochishin ni hisu), from the “Pine” triptych of the series A Modern Water Margin (Tōsei suikoden)