Sadamasu: Portrait of Onoe Kikugoro III in the Role of the Ghost of Kasane

Artist: Utagawa Sadamasu (Kunimasu) 歌川貞升

Date: 1850

Memorial portrait of the kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro III in the role of the Ghost of Kasane. This was originally published as a shini-e diptych, with the actor’s death poem and images of lotus flowers on the left-hand sheet. Here we have the portrait itself, with the actor holding out a large bluish hand in the manner of a wandering ghost, with his left cradling a “living” baby. The actor passed away in 1849, so this must have been published shortly after. This is one of his trademark roles, and it was known to be notoriously complex, as the actor often plays several roles. The tale is one of the most famous of the Edo-period ghost stories, and involves the tale of a murdered wife in the 17th century and her haunting of the guilty husband and community. In the print itself are the flaming tendrils that indicate a ghost along the right margin, and the actor’s hand also extends beyond the border of the print. There is very soft writing in the lightest grey in the background that is difficult to discern, but may be seen in the British Museum example.

Condition: Excellent impression; very good color and good/very good condition. Area of minor wormage and some minor soiling, and a fold where there is extra margin at left.

Dimensions: 25 x 19 cm (chuban)

Literature: See the British Museum for the complete diptych (2016,3062.2). See the National Museum of Scotland.

SKU: OSA059