Kunichika: Tattooed Onoe Kikugorô as Onizami Seikichi hanging from bamboo (Sold)

Artist: Toyohara Kunichika
Title: Tattooed Onoe Kikugorô as Onizami Seikichi hanging from bamboo
Series: Flowers of the East: Caricature by Kunichika (Azuma no hana : Kunichika manga)
Date: 1872/10

A Kabuki scene from the love story of “Izayoi and Seishin.” Seishin was a monk at the Goraku-ji but he was expelled for having relations with Izayoi. He and Izayoi attempt to commit suicide without success, surviving without each knowing that the other is still alive. Seishin changes his name to Seikichi and lives as the robber Onizami Seikichi. In this picture he hangs down from a bamboo stalk in the air. The dark moon hangs eerily. In the play when he kills Motome he says: “only the moon sees his killing”.

Onoe Kikugorô played this role in 1859 as Ichimura Uzaemon. Eventually he commits suicide. He is known as shiranami figure.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Yorozu-ya Magobei
Seal: Carver’s seal: Hori-kô Hidekatsu
Signature: Toyohara Kunichika hitsu (with toshidama seal)

SKU: KCA059