Ichimura Uzaemon [XII] as Kamiya Yokichi (right half of a diptych with 2003/1.420.1)
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Subject Matter:
Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII was also known as Ichimura Takenojō V. He was born in 1812 and active from 1818 until his death in 1851.
This play is one of the many variations of the story of the Soga brothers, one of the most popular revenge stories of the Edo period. The story is based on a late Kamakura period (1185-1333) book, Soga monogatari that tells the tale of two brothers, Jūrō and Gorō, who take revenge for their father on Kudō Suketsune in 1193. The brothers were executed, and it is thought that the story may have been written to pacify their spirits.
Physical Description:
The man in the center of this print sits on a red bench with his left leg drawn up. He wears brown robes and blue (faded) pants. In his right hand he holds a wrapped gift. Above him hangs a paper lantern with writing on it. Behind him is a fence and flowering tree against a blue sky.
Inscriptions: Artist Signature: Kunisada ga; Publisher’s seal: Kyū; Censor’s seal: kiwame; [undeciphered]ya Yokichi; Ichimura Uzaemon
This is the center panel of a triptych (the left panel, 2003/1.420.1).
Usage Rights:
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