Iris-colored Hatsuneya: Bandō Hikosaburō as Otowaya Shinsui
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Subject Matter:
The actor in this scene, Bandō Hikosaburō V, was born in 1832 and was active from 1842 until his death in 1877.
This play was only staged once, in the fourth month of 1861. Hatsuneya was the name of a famous palanquin store in Edo (Tokyo). The names for each of the characters are made up of the yagō (stage name) and haimyō (poet’s pen name) for each of the actors. The lanterns across the three panels of the tryptich together read, Soga Ryosha, which refers to an earlier play, Soga ryosha gosairei (曽我両社御祭礼), on which this play seems to be based.
Physical Description:
The warrior in this print looks over his left shoulder while reaching up his right sleeve. His elaborate robe is disheveled. It is hiked up at the waist and pushed off his right shoulder. A sword is visible at his side. The dock he stands on is crowded with poles, gates, and a bell. Above him, a red paper lantern hangs with the symbol “yashiro”.
This is the left panel of a triptych.
Publisher's seal: Hanmoto, Izutsuya; Tori [Rooster] 4 aratame (Censor's seals); Otowaya Shinsui
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