Yoshitoshi 芳年: Sawamura Tanosuke in Purple Headscarf as Oboshi Rikiya 大星力弥 沢村田之助 (RESERVED)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title:  Sawamura Tanosuke as Oboshi Rikiya 大星力弥 沢村田之助

Date: 3/1862

The actor Sawamura Tanosuke III, his head tied with a purple scarf that heightens his unique features, looks behind him, one hand upon his sword hilt. It is nighttime and he carries a box that must be very important to the scene. He is in the role of Oboshi Rikiya Yoshikane, the fifteen-year-old son of Oboshi Yuranosuke, the leader of the Forty-seven Ronin in the kabuki telling of the story in the Kanadehon Chushingura play. His real name was Oishi Yoshikane, and although only a teenager, he committed seppuku along with the other 46 ronin in 1603. Tanosuke III was best known for playing female roles, so perhaps the youth of the character made them a good fit.

There is another version of this design that has a full moon at upper left and has an additional Yoshikiri seal below the signature. This version is perhaps earlier, and has lacquer-imitating printing on the black of the kimono.

Yoshitoshi’s early actor prints are rather scarce compared to his later warrior prints and bijin-ga, and here we see his talent at capturing a dramatic moment. In the early 1860s we can assume that Yoshitoshi was still “proving” himself as an artist, so each design of his is very carefully considered in these early years.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Untrimmed and unbacked.

Dimensions: ôban 36.4 x 

Literature:  Keyes number 52.  Signature: Ikkeisai yoshitoshi ga

SKU: YOT923