Gods of Harmonious Union: Bandō Shūka I and Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Subject Matter:
Actor Bandō Shūka I also held the name Bandō Mitsugorō V. He was born in 1813 and active from 1824 until shortly before his death in 1854. He was known for both period and contemporary plays and for his portrayal of young onnagata, a word that means “female form” or “female role”.
Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII was born in Edo in 1823 and active from 1827. He was the oldest son of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII and brother of Ichikawa Danjūrō IX. He was known for his roles in jidaimono (period plays) as well as sewamono (contemporary plays). He committed suicide in 1854.
Physical Description:
A woman looks down at a man. Both are dressed in elaborate, multi-coloured robes with long, loose hair. The woman is standing and holds a container. The man is seated and holds a large flower. The background is white, edged in blue, with calligraphy at the top.
Inscriptions: Uke ni iru wagō no fukujin; (Calligraphy); Toyokuni ga (Artist's signature); Jōkin (Publisher's seal); ne 6, Fuku, Muramatsu (Censors' seals)
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