Kunisada: Ningyo-cho, the Doll District, with Ichimura Uzaemon XII and Bunraku Puppets

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
Title: Ha Brigade, First Group, Ningyô-chô: Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII as the Hairdresser (Kamiyui) Saizaburô and Bunraku Puppet Scene Series: Edo no hana meisho-e (Flowers of Edo and Views of Famous Places)江戸の花名勝会   Date: 1863

Ha Brigade, First Group, Ningyô-chô: Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII as the Hairdresser (Kamiyui) Saizaburô. Lower right we see the actor tying a cloth parcel across his shoulders as he looks nervously over his shoulder. To the left we see the top of a float that features a large samurai puppet, the design by Yoshitora. At top we see a Bunraku play being staged, with a female doll at left and a male doll at right. Two of the handlers wear the traditional black face covering and outfits. The top design is by Kiyokuni. Today there are still artisans at work in Ningyo-cho in Tokyo, or the doll-making district. This character at bottom may be from the play "Koi Musume Mukashi Hachijô", which was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and premiered in the 9th lunar month of 1775 in Edo at the Gekiza. It was adapted for Kabuki the following year and staged for the first time in 3rd lunar month of 1776 at the Nakamuraza.

The term “flowers of Edo” (Edo no hana) was also used to refer to the very common occurance of fires. The title panel shows the lanterns and identifying standard (matoi) for the brigades of firefighters (hikeshi) assigned to each district, and the title names the brigade, its group, and its district, followed by the kabuki scene chosen to match it.

There is a lot going on in each design, as in the upper right are the standards and lanterns for specific fire brigades, and on the upper left are usually magic lantern slides. Then there are one or two designs that comprise the lower portion, with Kunisada designing the actor portrait and various (21! in total for the series) other artists designing the landscape scenes. Collaborating artists here include Kiyokuni and Yoshitora. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: ôban (35.8 x 24.6 cm)
Publisher: Katôya Iwazoô (Seibei)
Literature: See MFA website and FAMSF, Waseda University websites.A reference book has been privately published by Simon Henry that examines this entire series.
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS578