Artwork
Asao Gakujurō as the Ferryman Sanjūrō from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song"
Asao Gakujurō as the Ferryman Sanjūrō from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song" is a print by the Romanticist artist Shunshosai Hokuchō. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This print is one of three that together depict a scene from a Kabuki play.
About this work
Overview
This print is one of three that together depict a scene from a Kabuki play. It is an 'actor image' (yakusha-e), a category of Japanese prints featuring popular Kabuki actors.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Asao Gakujurō as Sanjūrō, a ferryman character from the Kabuki play 'Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song'. The play was written by Namiki Gohei I and first performed in 1829.
History & Provenance
The play was staged at the Kado Theater in Osaka during the summer of 1829. This was the final performance for actor Ichikawa Ebijūrō II, who died several months later.
Context
Kabuki theater, which emerged in the early Edo period, is characterized by elaborate costumes, stylized dialogue, and dramatic poses (mie). The 'actor images' prints were collected by fans of popular Kabuki actors.
Artist & collection
Ichikawa Ebijūrō II as Horiguchi Manzaemon from the Kabuki Play "Eight Views of the Kizu River by Boating Song"
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"
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"
