Backstage Celebrations of a Full-house Hit at the Ichimura Theater
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Subject Matter:
This print shows the interior of the Ichimura-za theatre, one of three kabuki theatres in Edo (Tokyo) and home to many famous kabuki actors. The theatre opened in 1667. It burned down and was rebuilt several times through the nineteenth and early twentieth century. However, after burning in 1932 it was never rebuilt.
Physical Description:
This image shows men and women moving around an interior space. At the front, a group of men carries a tray of bowls, while another near the center carries a rolled up mat. At the back of the image, a man is visible through a gap in the wall doing his makeup. A red mat is visible at the far right of the image.
This is the left panel of a triptych (with 1969/2.146 and 1969/2.147).
Inscriptions: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Publisher's seal); Kunisada ga (Artist's signature); Kiwame + Tsuruya Kinsuke (Censors' seals)
Usage Rights:
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