Kunichika: The Actor Otani Tomomatsu Arrives at the Morita-za (sold)

Artist: Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900)
Title: The Actor Otani Tomomatsu Arrives at the Morita-za
Date: 1865

Morita za Tomomatsu norikomi zu 守田座友松乗込図. The actor Otani Tomomatsu arrives to much fanfare to the Morita-za kabuki theater. We see a large contingent of actors gathering to meet his flower-covered palanquin. Each actor is identified via a cartouche that bears his moniker in red. Tomomatsu steps out of the palanquin into his sandals, holding his sword by the hand and raising his hand, perhaps acknowledging the crowd. Men who are dressed as laborers hold aloft lanterns, although as they also have the faces and names of actors, it is difficult to know if this is all a fantasy. The British Museum has this print in their collection, and their scholars have  identified all of the actors: Center is the kabuki actor Otani Tomomatsu I, who has arrived from Osaka at the Morita theatre in 1865.  Surrounding him are the following Edo kabuki actors: Nakamura Nakataro, Sawamura Tanosuke III, Ichikawa Kuzo III, Nakamura Shikan IV, Nakamura Komajuro, Ichikawa Tojuro, Ichimura Kakitsu IV, Ichikawa Kobunji, Kawarasaki Gonjuro I, Nakamura Fukusuke II, Sawamura Kosho, who all gather to greet him. 

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Some trimming.
Dimensions: Oban triptych
Publisher: Gosukuya
Signature: Kunichika ga

SKU: KCA098