Skip to main content

Sound of the Bit and the Colors of the Bridle: Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Wakato Ippei and Nakamura Shikan IV as Inada Kōzō

Utagawa Kunisada

Artwork Details

Sound of the Bit and the Colors of the Bridle: Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Wakato Ippei and Nakamura Shikan IV as Inada Kōzō
1861
Utagawa Kunisada
woodblock print on paper
14 x 9 3/4 in. (35.7 x 24.9 cm)
Gift of Dr. James Hayes
2003/1.493.1

Description

Subject Matter:

Actor Nakamura Shikan IV was born into the Nakamura family of kabuki actors in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1810. He was active from the time he was a child in 1813 until his death in 1847. He was known for his roles as both tachiyaku (lead protagonist) and young onnagata (“female form” or “female role”).

Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XIII also held the name Onoe Kikugorō V. He was born to a family of kabuki actors in Edo in 1844. He was active from the time he was a child, in 1848, until shortly before his death in 1903. He was known for his roles in contemporary plays and was the head of the Nakamura-za in 1869.
 

Physical Description:

Two men look ahead of them with swords drawn.  The man in the front has his head shaved down the middle and wears a blue and red robe with the sleeves tied back.  The man in the back wears a black robe with his head covered.  A tree stands out in front of the night sky.
 
This is the left panel of a diptych.
 
Inscription: Inada Kōzo (Title); Nakamura Shikan; Wakoto Ippei, Ichimura Uzaemon; Toyokuni ga (Artist's signature); Jūichi (Publisher's seal); Tori 5, aratame (Censor's seal)

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.