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Ichiyôsai Yoshitaki (一養齋芳瀧)

Description:
(1R) Fujikawa Tomokichi III as Hisakata-hime; (2R) Arashi Kichisaburô III as Tatsuoki; (3R) Onoe Tamizô II as Kakinoki Kinsuke; (4R) Jitsukawa Ensaburô I as Tamono no kami; (5R) Kataoka Ainosuke I as Aobadayû; (6R) Asao Daikichi I as Saitô Tsukasanosuke in Keisei hana no shiranami, Naka Theater, Osaka
Signature:
(1R - 5R) Yoshitaki ga (6R) Ichiyôtei Yoshitaki ga (on scroll)
Seals:
Artist seal on far left sheet only
Publisher:
No publisher seal
Date:
1/1861
Format:
(H x W)
Chûban hexaptych nishiki-e
24.5 x 105.5 cm
Impression:
Very good (deluxe edition with lavish metallics, burnishing and embossing)
Condition:
Very good color and overall condition (unbacked; album creases along edges of all sheets, a few additional creases,
tarnishing of mica on kimono of 2R, pigment transfer on hakama of 6R)
Price (USD/¥):
$900 / Contact us to pay in yen (¥)

Order/Inquiry: (Ref #YST08)

Comments:
Background

Given that it shares three role names, the play Keisei hana no shiranami (A courtesan's flower and white waves: 契情花白浪) appears to be a variant of Keisei kogane no shachihoko (A courtesan and a gold killer whale: けいせい黄金鯱). The latter drama, written by Namiki Gohei I (1747-1808) in 1782, tells the story of a conspiracy against the Saitô clan, based on an uprising that actually happened. The events involve a theft by the farmer Kinsuke, flying a gigantic kite, and a decorative whale (shachihoko:鯱) with gold scales on the roof of Nagoya Castle.

The term shiranami (白浪) or "white crested wave" in the play title was also a nickname for a thief, in this case referring to Kinsuke. Shiranami was apparently a contraction of the literal translation of a place name (白波谷) in China where a notorious robber had lived.

Design

This hexaptych is designed as if it were a hand scroll. The far right edge bears the title of the play and Yoshitaki's signature. The composition features a colorful tableau in which the actors strike their mie (climactic pose: 見得) with sakura (flowering cherry: 桜) behind them and botan (peony: 牡丹) lining the edge of the hill.

References: IKBYS-V, no. 71