Kunisada: Tattoed actor roping a rock.(Takegaki no Torazô: Ichimura Uzaemon) (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada
Title: Tattoed actor roping a rock.(Takegaki no Torazô: Ichimura Uzaemon)
Series: A Modern Suikoden (Kinsei Suikoden)
Date: 1862

The actor Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Takegaki no Torazô. His tattoo features a tiger with waterfall and bamboo leaves. These outlaw-heroes were known for their extensive tattooing, being bandits who lived according to their own rules. Kinsei Suikoden is based on the story of Tenpô Suikoden, which believed to be written by Muroi Kinryô, a story teller, in the style of Chinese Suikoden after the incident of Sasagawa Shigezô in 1844. It became also a Kabuki play. In this series the protagonists of the Kabuki play are depicted by Kunisada and the story is written by Kanagaki Robun. Torazô comes from Takegaki village in Shimofusa Province (present north Chiba and a part of Ibaragi Prefecture) and is a cousin of Inosuke, a follower of the big boss Sutegorô. Torazô is known as a man of justice and loyalty. He was also a strong man. Once he went to Kamakura and became a musician, calling himself Azumagawa no Torazô. At the festival of Tsuruga hachiman, a shrine in Kamakura his performance was well received. He became very popular and was invited even by the shogunate. After Torazô toured different provinces for 56 years long he returned to his town and heard that his cousin, Inosuke was killed at the fight with Higezô. He hurried to Sutegorô in Ioka, where he met allies to kill Higezô. Eventually they manage to kill Higezô at Ushiobara. Later Torazô contributed to more brave deeds.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Some trimming, left, and minor wormage.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Ise-ya Kanekichi
Signature: kio Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS312