Tribute Fans of the Energetic Genji: Iwai Tojaku (Iwai Hanshirō V) as the Tea Shop Proprietress Mizuchaya Oben
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Subject Matter:
Actor Iwai Tojaku I also held the names Iwai Kumesaburō I and Iwai Hanshirō V. He was born in 1776 and active from 1786 until shortly before his death in 1847. He was best known for his roles in contemporary plays and for his young onnagata (“female role” or “female form”) roles. He was also the father of the next two actors to hold the Hanshirō name.
Physical Description:
In this print, a woman hikes up her robes while carrying a box in one hand and a rolled up mat under her arm. She looks back over her shoulder. A cloth hanging in the background behind her fades from red into blue, and its bottom rests on a red floor. The cloth is decorated with white Chinese characters on the left and a geometric shape on the right. There is black calligraphy above the woman's left shoulder.
Inscription: Mizuchaya oden Iwai Tojaku (Title); Yamaguchi Tōbei (Publisher's seal); Kiwame (Censor's seal); Kunisada ga (Artist's signature)
Usage Rights:
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