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Crossing Swords in the Pleasure Quarters: Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Fuwa Banzaemon

Toyohara Kunichika

Artwork Details

Crossing Swords in the Pleasure Quarters: Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Fuwa Banzaemon
1898
Toyohara Kunichika
woodblock print on paper
14 in x 9 5/8 in (35.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
Gift of Stuart Katz
2008/2.10C

Description

Subject Matter:

Ichikawa Danjūrō IX was born in Edo in 1838 and active in kabuki from 1843 until his death in 1903.  He was also known as Kawarazaki Gonjūrō.  His father was Ichikawa Danjūrō VII. He was known for his roles in jidaimono (period plays) as well as sewamono (contemporary plays). He played tachiyaku (lead protagonist), jitsuaku (villain), and onnagata (“female form” or “female role”) roles and was famous in Japan and internationally.
 

Physical Description:

A man holds an unsheathed sword up by his shoulder with both hands. Another sword is visible at his waist, and the tip of a third sword is visible from off the print on the left side. The man wears a black robe with red geometric print and swirls of clouds around a yellow and red crest. The background is plain.

This is the right panel of a triptych (with 2008/2.10A and 2008/2.10B).

Usage Rights:

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