Kunisada 国貞: Kabuki Actor Uzaemon XIII as Outlaw Benten Holding up a Lanten
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 (三代目 歌川豊国)
Title: Ichimura Uzaemon XIII 市村羽左衛門 as Benten Kozô Kikunosuke,弁天小僧菊之助Series: Designs Dyed in Different Colors by Toyokuni of a Venerable Old Man (Toyokuni moyoo okina no somewake豊国模様翁之染分) Date: 1863
Bold graphics share the stage with a dramatic portrait of Ichimura Uzaemon XIII 市村羽左衛門 as the handsome outlaw Benten Kozô Kikunosuke,弁天小僧菊之助. He wears an all-black robe that has been specially printed to create a lacquer-like shine, and he wears a head covering that only allows us to see his eyes–it has the design of “mame shibori 豆絞り” with the pattern of a dot within a blue circle. He holds up a lantern bearing the character “Tachibana 橘“, which is the crest of the Ichimura-za owner Tachibana-ya 橘屋, as well as the former name of Uzaemon, Ichimura Kakitsu 市村家橘.
The background consists of stitched blue curtains bearing two large, colorful characters with shibori tie-dye patterns– these seem to be 注 (in green) 連 (in red)”, which reads “shime“, indicating “shime-nawa 注連縄”, one type of a lucky New Year talisman against evil, cordoning off with Shinto sacred rope. Perhaps the strongest graphic is an arrow hitting the center of the target, which has the meaning of a great success, “ô-atari大当たり.“ It might also refer to the “hama no yumi 破魔の弓“, translating “evil-destroying bow”, a sacred bow and arrow set used to ward off evil spirits and used as New Year’s talisman or gift.
This print was made for the Ichimura-za, as it is written on the right “for Ichimura-za (Ichimura-za e 市むらざ江)“. It must have been designed for the New Year Kabuki performance there in 1863, (a year before Kunisada‘s death in 1864 at age of 79): “Aotozôshi hana no nishiki-e 青砥稿花紅彩画“ also known as “The Five Chivalrous Thieves/ Five Men of the White Waves” (Shiranami gonin otoko白浪五人男), by Kawatake Mokuami, which was first performed in 1863 and was a great success. (With thanks to Michiko Sato-Grube for her research.)
Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. With a light backing.
Dimensions: ôban (36.4 x 25.3) Publisher: Kagi-Shoo 鍵庄 Kagiya Shôbei
Signature: Toyokuni at age of seventy-eight painted (nana-jû hassai Toyokuni hitsu 七十八歳豊国筆)
SKU: KUS618