Artwork
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 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 is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Shunkōsai Hokushū. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This diptych woodblock print, created by Shunkōsai Hokushū in 1822, depicts two kabuki actors in character. The actors are shown in a dramatic pose, highlighting their roles in a play.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Ichikawa Ebijūrō I and Asao Yūjirō I as rival characters in the play 'Keisei Sano no Funabashi', a story involving love and revenge. The actors' props and attire convey the scene's tension and narrative.
Technique & Style
The print features bold, dynamic patterns in red and black on the actors' robes, characteristic of ukiyo-e style. The use of ink and color on paper creates a vivid representation of the kabuki performance.
Context
As a kabuki print, this work was likely sold as a souvenir to fans, allowing them to take home a representation of the performance. Kabuki theater was a popular form of entertainment in Japan during the early 19th century.
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 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)
Actor Nakamura Utaemon III (Shikan) as Ishikawa Goemon at the Battle of Okehazama (Okehazama Gassen)
Ichikawa Ebijūrō II as Horiguchi Manzaemon (right), Arashi Rikan II as Kizu Kansuke, Nakayama Bunshichi III as Hayashi Sanzemon (center), and Asao Gakujurō as the Ferryman Sanjūrō (left) from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song"
玉柳亭重春画 三代目尾上菊五郎・三代目中村歌右衛門 『義経千本桜』|Kabuki Actors Onoe Kikugorō III as Shizuka Gozen and Nakamura Utaemon III as Kitsune Tadanobu, in the play Yoshitsune senbon zakura (The Thousand Cherry Trees of Yoshitsune)
Asao Gakujurō as the Ferryman Sanjūrō from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song"
戯画堂芦幸画 二代目嵐橘三郎 「ひらかな盛衰記」|Kabuki Actor Arashi Kitsusaburō II as Kajiwara Heiji, in the play Hiragana seisuiki (Records of the Battles between the Minamoto and Taira Clans in the Japanese Syllabary)
Arashi Rikan II as Kizu Kansuke and Nakayama Bunshichi III as Hayashi Sanzemon from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song"
Arashi Rikan II as Kizu Kansuke; Ichikawa Ebijuro II as Horiguchi Manzaemon
Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Soga no Juro
Ichikawa Ebijuro II as Ude no Jirobei
三代目市川八百藏・初代目尾上松助・三代目澤村宗十郎|Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Yaozō III, Onoe Matsusuke I, and Sawamura Sōjūrō III
Ichikawa Ebijūrō II as Horiguchi Manzaemon from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song"