Mitsukuni (三津國) and Hikokuni (彦國)

(R) Nakamura Utaemon III as Kanda Yogorô and (L) Ichikawa Ebijûrô I as Teraoka Heiemon in the play Ôishizuri sakura tanzaku , Naka Theater, Osaka

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(R) Yoshikuni monjin Mitsukuni and (L) Yoshikuni monjin Hikokuni

No artist seal

Toshin

3/1822

Format:
(H x W)

Ôban diptych nishiki-e
37.9 x 51.3 cm

Excellent)

Excellent color, and overall condition (unbacked, slight trimming)

SOLD

Inquiry: MSK02

Background

Although the plot for Ôishizuri sakura tanzaku (Ôishi's stone rubbing, a poem card, and flowering cherry: 大西摺桜花短冊) remains unknown, some role names (such as the virtuous wives Oishi and Osono, or Okaru's brother, Teraoka Heiemon) inscribed on prints by several artists for this production suggest that the story line was adapted from the most famous of all revenge plays, Kanadehon chûshingura (Copybook of the Treasury of Loyal Retainers: 假名手本忠臣蔵). Prints by Hokushû and Yoshikuni for this performance further identify another of Utaemon's roles as Amakawaya (wine-shop merchant: 天川や) Igo (later called Yatô Yomoshichi). Utaemon also performed as Tashirô Yasubei (a.k.a. the servant Yasuke).

Design

Note: This is a gassaku (collective work: 合作) featuring two students of Yoshikuni. The right sheet is signed Yoshikuni monjin Mtisukuni ga (Drawn by Mitsukuni, pupil of Yoshikuni), and the left Yoshikuni monjin Hikokuni ga (Drawn by Hikokuni, pupil of Yoshikuni).

Provenance

Haber Collection; see Dean Schwaab, Osaka Prints, no. 46 for this same impression; fine colors!