Kunisada II: Princess Kusunoki and magical Princess Koroku descending on clouds Kabuki Triptych
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada II (1823-1880)
Title: Magical scene from the play Shôbu-dachi tsui no kyôkaku 菖蒲太刀対狭客
Date: 1865
Interesting kabuki scene that shows two princesses, one unearthly, descending from clouds to the surprise of the male protagonists. This Kabuki scene from the play “Shôbu-dachi tsui no kyôkaku 菖蒲太刀対狭客“ played at Ichimura-za in the 5th month of 1865 (according to the list of theater performances by Bunka Digital Library). The illustrated program of the play shows the scene as the third act (see the link below: Tokyo University visual database of theater program,“Shibai Banzuke”).
In the center, the protagonist, Date-no Koroku 達野小六 played by Bandô Hikosaburô V(1832-1877)坂東彦三郎 holds a wide stance, hands open in surprise. Next to him is kneeling Chikakichi 近吉 played by Ichimura Takematsu III(1847-1893)市村竹松. They are startled by the appearance of Princess Kusunoki Koma 楠姑摩姫, played by Ichimura Kakitsu IV市村家橘, descending from a cloud on the left. The princess holds a bow and arrow behind her back and has a sword tucked into her belt and seems to be ready to perform a dance. On the right side, also on a cloud, we see an emanation of Princess Kuroku 仙女九六姫 by Onoe Kikugorô尾上菊五郎. She is all in grey and has untamed hair and holds her hands in a magical mudra; so she is obviously an unearthly persona.
Below at the right corner kneeling, watching the scene is Takeshiba Konryû 竹柴金龍, a Kyôgen 狂言 who is not an actor, but the person responsible on stage for the beginning and end of this act. Here he puts a hand on two wooden clappers, chô-shi-gi拍子木 or ki 柝, which are used to announce the beginning and the end of the curtains as well as moment of a famous line or mie見得 posing. It is considered to be an difficult task, since he has to graspe an exact timing of actor’s breath and action. On the left sheet the curtain with many hiragana “raら” is about to be drawn.
The author of this story is Kawatake Shinshichi 河竹新七, and the story is based on the revenge of the Nitta and Kusunoki clans, Date-no Koroku and Princess Kusunoki Koma respectively in this play, on Shogun Ashikaga.
The first part of the title “shôbu菖蒲”, meaning Japanese iris, which blooms around 5th month, “satsuki皐月” of year, and “tachi太刀“, sword, both symbolising Boys’ Festival as well as the month of this performance. “tsui 対” means a pair, and “kyôkaku 侠客”, chivalrous samurai/person. The title can be translated “Chivalrous Pair of Satsuki”. Satsukis 皐月 means an old expression of the 5th month.
The names of the roles are written in yellow tanzaku and those of actors in red tanzaku in both right and left sheets. This work was published the year following the passing of Kunisada I, so Kunisada II seems to be working hard to make an impression here. With thanks to Michiko Sato-Grube for her research.
https://www.l.u-tokyo.ac.jp/digitalarchive/collection/new_file_PDF2/227_002/808.pdf
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (each sheet approx 36.5 x 24.5 cm)
Publisher: Daikokuya Heikichi Seal: Carver’s seal of Yokogawa Takejirô 彫竹＝横川彫竹 Signature: Kunisada hitsu
SKU: KII041