Yoshitsune’s Letter from Koshigoe: (possibly) Mimasu Gennosuke II as Izumi no Saburō
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Subject Matter:
Yoshitsune’s Letter from Koshigoe is part of the Heike-Genji cycle of plays recounting the wars featuring the two prominent warrior families, the Taira (Heike) and the Minamoto (Genji). This play references Minamoto Yoshitsune’s petition to his brother, Yoritomo, victor of the recent war with the Heike. The play also parodies events at the foundation of the Tokugawa shogunate at the beginning of the 17th century. In this parody, Yoritomo represents Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, and Yoshitsune represents Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Depicted here, actor Mimasu Gennosuke II was born in 1818. He was active from around the 1820s until shortly before his death in 1861. In this print, Gennosuke plays Izumi no Saburō, one of Yoshitsune’s loyal retainers.
Physical Description:
In this print, a warrior faces forward in elaborate armor. He is seated on a folding chair. In his right hand is a tasselled stick. A sword is visible near his left palm. He stands against a blue background. The wall behind him is painted with plum blossoms, and a recessed screen is covered with a dark floral pattern.
Inscriptions: Tsutaya, Kichizō (Publisher's seal); Fuku/Muramatsu (Censor's seals); Toyokuni ga (Signature); Izumi no Saburō Tadae
Usage Rights:
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