Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳
Title: Scene from the Kabuki Play Takane no Kumo Yorokobi Soga
Date: 1849
The monk Shunkan at the moment he absorbs some very bad news. From the kabuki play “Takane no Kumo Yorokobi Soga”, performed at the Nakamura Theater. The plot centers on the monk Shunkan, who was exiled to the island of Kikai along with his men Naritsune and Yasuyori for plotting against Taira Kiyomori. After three years in exile, a ship arrived with the news that Naritsune and Yasuyori have been pardoned, but Shunkan is ordered to remain in exile. In the center of the design is Sawamura Chojuro V as Shunkan Sozu, who crouches as he reads the the official pardon document. His expression is one of grim fortitude. To the right is Matsumoto Kinsho I as Taro Kaneyasu, and to the left is Onoe Baiko IV as the woman Chidori. On the boat behind is Motoyasu, fan in hand. It is unusual to find a horizontal orientation on kabuki print subjects, and this one is charming because we are seeing what the audience would see, with the backdrop of undulating waves and the large rock at right, as well as the stage itself. Shunkan’s grey robe features an oxidizing grey lead (tan) pigment, and Kaneyasu’s robe also features an orange lead oxidizing pigment.
Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. A strip of hinging remnant verso, and minor rubbing to areas of the margins. Otherwise, nice and clean and fresh.
Dimensions: ôban (25.5 x 27.5 cm)
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga 一勇斎國芳画 with his paulownia seal
SKU: KUY641
