Kabuki actor Iwai Hanshiro V, in the role of Shirai Gonpachi, stands under a willow tree (yanagi, 柳) to read a letter from the courtesan Komurasaki of the Miuraya [三浦屋小紫]. In this letter, Komurasaki laments their unfortunate love. This is a scene from the kabuki play The Floating World’s Pattern and Matching Lightning Bolts (Ukiyozuka hiyoku no inazuma) [浮世柄比翼稲妻] written by Tsurya Namboku IV [鶴屋南北]; it was played for the first time in March 1823 at Ichimura Theatre [市村座] in Edo. This play was later divided into two individual pieces: Saya-ate [鞘当] and Fuwa [不破]. On the shoulders of the actor’s garment is a character 井 in a circle — both names, Iwai 岩井 and Shirai 白井, use this character.

“Ukiyozuka Hiyoku no Inazuma” is a kabuki play in nine acts, written by Tsuruya Nanboku IV. It premiered in Bunsei 6 (1823) at the Ichimura-za theatre in Edo.

The play includes two particularly famous scenes:

• “Suzugamori no ba” (The Scene at Suzugamori), which portrays the episode of Banzuiin Chōbei and Shirai Gonpachi
• “Yoshiwara Nakanochō no ba” (The Scene at Yoshiwara Nakanochō), which depicts the story of Nagoya Sanza and Fuwa Banzaemon

These scenes have been frequently performed under the well-known titles “Gozonji Suzugamori” (A Well-Known Suzugamori) and “Sayaate” (The Scabbard Clash).

More information about the play and the real story behind it can be found at Lyon Collection.

Actor: Iwai Hanshirō V [岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1776 – 1847); other names: Iwai Tojaku, Iwai Kumesaburō I.

Role: Shirai Gonpachi [白井権八]

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [歌川豊国] (1769–1825).

Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画].

Publisher: Enshūya Matabei [遠州屋又兵衛] (Enterprise, active c. 1768 – 1881); seal: “to” (ト) under roof (Marks 01-031 | 057a).

Date-aratame censor seal: 未改, Bunsei 6 (1823).

Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e 団扇絵), 233 x 260 mm.