Alphabetical Tales of Glory and Decline: Actors as the Boatmen Dairoku, Kanroku, Sagiroku, and Bunroku
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Description
Subject Matter:
This play was originally written for bunraku puppet theater and first premiered in 1739. It is a dramatic telling of the Genpei Seisuiki, one of the medieval texts that gives the account of the twelfth-century battles between the Taira and Minamoto clans.
Physical Description:
Four men are lined up close together, all holding onto an oar. Each wears a red skirt, blue leg wraps, and purple and white shirts. They each have their left legs raised as if to take a step. Water is in the background behind them.
This is the right panel of a triptych (with 2011/2.193.1 and 2011/2.193.2).
Inscriptions: Sendō Dairoku; Onaji Kanroku; Onaji Sagiroku; Onaji Bunroku; Kuniyoshi ga (Artist's signature); To (Publisher's seal); Hama, Magome (Censor's seals)
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