Artist: Katsukawa Shunchō [勝川 春潮] (Japanese, c. 1783-1795)
Signed: 春潮画 (Shunchō ga)
Date: c. 1780s
Media: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; Hashira-e (pillar print) 67.8 × 12.8 cm (26.7 × 5 inches)
Censor’s Seal: 極 (Kiwame)
Publisher: Iwatoya Kisaburō [岩戸屋 喜三郎] (Eirindō), active c. 1760s–1832; Marks 173

Title: Parody of the Letter-Reading Scene in Act VII of Chūshingura (Chūshingura Dan Nana-maki Gion Ichiriki no ba no mitate, 忠臣蔵段七巻祇園一力の場の見立)

This print presents a parody of the letter-reading scene in Act VII of Chūshingura, set in the Ichiriki Teahouse at Gion (Gion Ichiriki no ba). This act gives a taste of the bustling atmosphere of the Gion pleasure quarter in Kyoto. Yuranosuke is feigning a life of debauchery at the same teahouse to which Okaru has been indentured. Kudayū, the father of Sadakurō, arrives. He is now working for Moronō, and his purpose is to discover whether Yuranosuke still plans revenge. He tests Yuranosuke’s resolve by offering him food on their lord’s death anniversary when he should be fasting. Yuranosuke is forced to accept. Yuranosuke’s sword – the revered symbol of a samurai – is also covered in rust. It would appear that Yuranosuke has no thoughts of revenge. But still unsure, Kudayū hides under the veranda. Now believing himself alone, Yuranosuke begins to read a secret letter scroll about preparations for the vendetta. Okaru comes out to cool herself on a higher balcony in the evening breeze, and noticing Yuranosuke close by, she reads the letter reflected in her mirror. As Yuranosuke unrolls the scroll, Kudayū, too, examines the end, which trails below the veranda. Suddenly, one of Okaru’s hairpins drops to the floor, and Yuranosuke, shocked, quickly rolls up the scroll. Finding the end of the letter torn off, he realises that yet another person knows his secret and he must silence them both. Feigning merriment, he calls Okaru to come down and offers to buy out her contract. He goes off supposedly to fix the deal. Then Okaru’s brother, Heiemon, enters and, hearing what has just happened, realises that Yuranosuke intends to keep her quiet by killing her. He persuades Okaru to let him kill her instead to save their honour, and she agrees. Overhearing everything, Yuranosuke is convinced of the pair’s loyalty and stops them. He gives Okaru a sword and, guiding her hand, thrusts it through the floorboards to kill Kudayū.

The lead actor has to convey a wide variety of emotions between a fallen, drunkard rōnin and someone who, in reality, is quite different since he is only faking his weakness. This is called hara-gei or “belly acting”, meaning he has to perform from within to change characters. It is technically challenging to perform and takes a long time to learn, but once mastered, the audience picks up on the actor’s emotion.

Emotions are also expressed through the colours of the costumes, a key element in kabuki. Gaudy and strong colours can convey foolish or joyful emotions, whereas severe or muted colours convey seriousness and focus.

This is an extremely rare hashira-e, preserved in remarkably good condition for a print of this type and period.

References:

• MFA Boston accession no. 11.21263

• Not in Pins (1982)