Background
Sanbasô may be read as "third old man," the name coming from one of three male characters (after
the main and secondary figures, Okina and Senzai) in a ceremonial play originally from Nô but adapted by
jôruri and kabuki. Non-ritualisitc Sanbasô dances (Sanbasô mono) are known in perhaps
more than 100 variations, all differing from the Nô version by making Sanbasô the main character and
emphasizing his comic qualities (compared with the more dignified Okina). The Sanbasô dance was associated with New
Year theatrical productions; it also served as a brief felicitous daily introduction to nearly every kabuki program (in the
latter case performed by low-ranking actors).
Urashima Tarô was a young fishermen whose very popular legend — dating back to before the eighth century —
takes many forms. The most common version has Urashima catching a tortoise in his net, which he releases back into the sea.
He later encounters the beautiful daughter of the Dragon King (a sea god), Otohime (Princess Oto), who was in truth the
tortoise he had saved. They live together for three years in the Dragon Palace under the sea until he becomes homesick.
Otohime reluctantly agrees to let him visit his home if he promises to return, giving him a mysterious casket that he must
not open if he is to see her again. Once back on land, he fails to recognize anything, and bewildered, opens the casket. With
the breaking of his promise, a white vapor is emitted, and he quickly ages and dies. Unknown to Urashima, 3 years under the
sea paralleled 300 terrestrial years — a folkloric equivalent of Einsteinian relativity!
Design
The first two lines of script written at the upper left (nearest the roundel portrait) include the words Shishô
Utaemon isse ichidai ("Master Utaemon in a once in a lifetime performance"). This was a design intended for
a much-anticipated retirement program by Utaemon III, the greatest Osaka star of his day. Much to the delight of his fans,
however, his "sayonara" was postponed, although the production was staged.
The roles shown in this design were performed by Utaemon III's protege, Nakamura Tsurusuke I (who would become Utaemon IV in
1836 after adoption by Utaemon III). It was an honor for Tsurusuke to be a part of what was supposed to be a historic program,
also serving to anticipate his eventual crowning with the Utaemon acting name (geimei).
The inscription at the middle right identifies this sheet as one in a series of five depicting roles from Utaemon's
"farewell program" (nagori kyôgen). Kunihiro's four other designs from this set are illustrated
in IBKYS-I and KNZ (see references below).
The roundel portrait shows Sanbasô in his distinctive lacquered, striped hat with the red disk representing the rising
sun of Japan. Urashima is depicted with his iconographic fishing pole and casket as he raises a striped folding fan
(ôgi). Both roles were performed as honorific gestures by Tsurusuke — meant to symbolize good fortune
and long life for his master (shishô).
Provenance:
Okada (a celebrated private Japanese collection not seen in public for more than 70 years until its recent dispersal
— a blockbuster event in the world of kamigata-e; see KAM).
References: IBKYS-I, no. 35; WAS I-4, no. 234; IKB-I, no, 1-437; KNP, vol. 6, p. 159; NKE, p. 547
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