Kuniyoshi: Actor Diptych with Blind Character Giving a Heartfelt Hug
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳
Title: Actor Diptych with Blind Character Giving a Heartfelt Hug
Date: 1848
Kabuki diptych showing the rarest of all ukiyo-e scenes; a heartfelt hug. On the left sheet we see Onoe Shinshichi III as 松番匠新七郎 実ハ天野四郎常長 (standing) and Ichikawa Kuzô II as 室の津肝煎佐次太夫. Right sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as the blind Aku Shichibei Kagekiyo (悪 七兵衛 景清 後ニ日向勾当) and Onoe Kikujirô II as Kagekiyo’s daughter Hitomaru (景清 娘 人丸). Play: Tsuki no ume megumi no Kagekiyo (月梅摂景清). Theater: Nakamura-ya. The character at right is obviously blind, yet overjoyed to be reunited with the smiling young woman who kneels before him. He has probably been living in the small hut on the beach pictured at right. His walking staff leans against the wall behind him.
Condition: Excellent impression color; very good condition.Dimensions: ôban diptych (36 x 49.2 cm)
Publisher: Iba-ya Sensaburo
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga with his paulownia seal
SKU: KUY611