Kunisada: Tatsuyo, Actually the Monster of the Cat Stone Flies Through the Air (Sold)

  • Sold.

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
Title: Tatsuyo, Actually the Monster of the Cat Stone
Date: 1861

From the kabuki play “Tokaido Iroha Nikki”, (Tokaido Iroha Diary) we see the cat monster taking to the air on a cloud of smoke, flying up left through window vent. It wears a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono and floats on a bed of clouds as it makes its escape. The beauty Tatsuya had been possessed by the Spirit of the Cat Stone; she has large cat ears and giant cat paws as well as a resplendent wig of great length that floats behind her. 

Actors Ichimura Takematsu III as Tatsuyo's Younger Sister (Imôto) Okiku (R), Nakamura Shikan IV as Suwa Kazuemon (C), and Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Tatsuyo, Actually the Monster of the Cat Stone (Nekoishi no kai) (L) 「辰世妹おきく 市村竹松」(三代目)  「須破数右衛門 中村芝翫」(四代目)  「辰世実猫石ノ怪 市村羽左衛門」(十三代目)

For more details on this play, see this diptych by Kunisada https://egenolfgallery.com/products/kunisada-cat-stone-kabuki-diptych

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Featuring deluxe mica in the black sky at bottom.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (36 x 75 cm)
Signature: Toyokuni ga
Publisher: Kagiya Shobei
References: See MFA website. See  “Something Wicked”, page 141. Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation, Nyan to mo neko darake/ Cats of Many Varieties (2012), #182.

SKU: KUS509