Torii (Ueno) Tadamasa: Makeup of Kagekiyo's Ghost (SOLD)
Artist: Torii (Ueno) Tadamasa
Title: Makeup of Kagekiyo’s Ghost; Kagekiyo no Bôrei-guma (景清隈)
Series: Continuation of Eighteen Kabuki Makeups Zoku Kumadori Jûhachiban (続隈取十八番) Date: 1942
The makeup used in kabuki hewed to very strict traditions; perhaps only the most famous actors could make minor modifications. This work is from an interesting series that featured classic styles of kabuki makeup. The colors that are added atop the white face coverage indicate a lot about the character being portrayed. Red can indicate anger or passion, while blue can stand for the cold focus of villains bent on revenge. Blue can also indicate the phantom world of ghosts.
Kagekiyo was a historical figure who was featured briefly in the Heiki Monogatarai, but featured prominently in numerous kabuki and puppet dramas known as Kagekiyo plays. Here he is shown lifting a decorated cloth while striking a strong facial pose. A scarce design. Tadamasa created a series during the war that featured eighteen classic styles of kabuki makeup; these were published by Watanabe Shôzaburô in 1940-41. This work is from the second series that was published in 1941-42, but only seven of the eighteen works were ever completed. This is from the kabuki play Gedatsu (解脱).
Tadamasa Ueno was a student of Torii Kiyotada (1875-1941), continuing the legacy of the Torii artists that dates back to the 17th century and focusing on the genre of Kabuki. With the Watanabe seal that was in use between 1942 and 1945. The printing quality of this series is excellent, according to the very high standards of Watanabe Shôzaburo. This design has urushi-e printing effects on much of the black wig as well as subtle blindprinting on the face.
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. One small stain upper left that is a remnant of original hinging glue. Never framed. Dimensions: 39.8 x 27 cm
Publisher: Watanabe Shôzaburô
References: See Minneapolis Institute of Art for an interesting 1940 design featuring stealth makeup for Kagekiyo that was developed by this artist himself. See Tsubouchi Memorial Theater Museum for their example of this design. See mjpap website for information on the whole series.
SKU: TDM011