//Japan
  •

    Yamakichibei Shodai tsuba with sukashi design of dragonfly and wheel. Momoyama period, 1574-1603.

    Oblong round shape (nagamaru-gata) tsuba with design of dragonfly (tombo or katsumushi) and wheel (kuruma) in negative openwork (kage-sukashi), round rim (maru-mimi ). Copper sekigane.

    Okamoto Yasukazu's Owari to Mikawa no tankō, №181 characterizes the tsuba as follows: "Katsumushi, kuruma-sukashi no zu (dragonfly and wheel sukashi). Mei: Yamakichibei (Shodai). Such small tsuba are rare for the Shodai. The nakago-ana is also small so it was probably intended to be mounted on a tantō. Regardless of its size, the iron is outstanding and the workmanship shows the characteristic features of the Shodai (first generation). The kuruma-sukashi design is interpreted here in a half-moon shape and only on one side of the tsuba. Such a design is also seen on works of the Nidai (second generation)...". Signed to the left of nakaga-ana: Yamakichibei (山吉兵へ). Attributed to the First Generation (Shodai) master.

    NBTHK paper (translated by Markus Sesko): The Tokubetsu-Kichō Kodōgu. Kachimushi-kuruma sukashi-tsuba (勝虫車透鐔) - Tsuba with sukashi motif of dragonfly and cartwheel. Signed: Yamakichibei (山吉兵). Iron, marugata, ko-sukashi. Issued on April 1, 1977. [Copy only] Dimensions: H: 66 mm; W: 63.2 mm; Th(center): 3.8 mm; Th(rim): 3.5 mm. Weight: 68 g.
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yamakichibei Shodai tsuba with sukashi design. Momoyama period, 1574-1603.

    Large iron tsuba of mokko form with the openwork (sukashi) design, described by some as rotten leaves swirling in the wind and boar eyes (inome, 猪目, heart-shaped elements); round rim (maru-mimi); no hitsu-ana; pronounced iron bones (tekkotsu); chocolate patina.

    Signed to the left of nakaga-ana: Yamakichibei (山吉兵へ). Attributed to the First Generation (Shodai) master.

    Dimensions: 90 x 82 mm, thickness 3.7 mm at centre, 4.9 mm at rim. Weight: 142 g

    References: similar handguards demonstrated at Yasukazu's Owari to Mikawa no tankō №176 and Kajima's Tsuba no Bi №28.

     

    Owari to Mikawa no tankō №176

    Tsuba no Bi №28

    Favorites
    Details

  • Yamakichibei tsuba with sukashi design of twofold tomoe. Momoyama period, 1574-1603.

    Circular tsuba (marugata ) with design of futatsu-domoe (twofold tomoe) in negative openwork (kage-sukashi), folded-over rim (uchikaeshi-mimi ). The ‘head’ of the left tomoe altered to form an opening for scabbard accessory (kata-hitsu-ana), adorned with gold ategane fitting with file marks (tate-yasurime). The hammer-blow finish of the surface (tsuchime-ji). Signed to the left of nakaga-ana: Yamakichibei (山吉兵). Attributed by Steve Waszak a the Second Generation (Nidai) master.

    NBTHK paper [translated by Markus Sesko]:

    Tomoe-sukashi-tsuba (巴透し鐔).

    KANTEI-SHO (鑑定書) - APPRAISAL No 451718

    Futatsu-domoe sukashi-tsuba (二巴透鐔) ‒ Tsuba with two tomoe comma openwork design

    Signed: Yamakichibei (山吉兵)

    Round shape (marugata ), iron, hammerblow finish (tsuchime-ji ), negative openwork design (kage-sukashi ), folded-over rim (uchikaeshi-mimi ), one opening for scabbard accessory

    (kata-hitsu-ana) (with gold ategane fitting)

    According to the result of the shinsa committee of our society, we judge this work as authentic

    and rank it as Hozon Tōsōgu.

    February 20, 2007

    [Foundation] Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, NBTHK (日本美術刀劍保存協會)

    Diameter: 76 mm, thickness at center 3.9 mm, thickness at rim: 5.1 mm; weight: 102.5 g

    Tomoe (Comma): The character 巴 (Chinese pronunciation bā). A pattern resembling the two-comma tomoe (futatsu-domoe) has been found in ancient cultures on all inhabited continents. ...aside from their military function, a ritual or fetish value, perhaps related to their testicular shape. It also has yin-yang connotation. The gold sekigane confirms the high value of the piece to the owner.

    Favorites
    Details

  • Yellow seto; Black seto (Japanese ceramics 3) [黄瀬戸 瀬戸黒 日本の陶磁 (3) 中央公論社]. — Tokyo: Chūōkōron-sha, 1974.

    Hardcover volume, 35.3 x 27 cm, bound in grey cloth, blind stamped characters to front, brown characters to spine, in a glassine dust jacket, in a double slipcase, the outer case pictorial paper over cardboard, 36 x 28 cm, pp.: [4] [1] 2-88 (plates with photographs of 129 items), [2] 91-108 [3]. Seto ware [瀬戸焼] (Seto-yaki) – ceramics produced in and around the city of Seto in Aichi Prefecture. Yellow seto [黄瀬戸] (Kiseto) – a yellow glaze seto ware. Black seto [瀬戸黒] (Setoguro) –  a black glaze seto ware. 日本の陶磁 – Japanese ceramics, series title. Contributors: Yasunari Kawabata [川端 康成] (Japanese, 1924 – 1972) – author. Tetsuzo Tanikawa [谷川 徹三] (Japanese, 1895 – 1989) – author. Seizo Hayashiya [林屋晴三] (Japanese, 1928 – 2017) – editor. Chūōkōron-sha [中央公論社] – publisher.
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō brass inlay tantō tsuba by Koike Naomasa; Momoyama period (1574 – 1603).

    Small iron tsuba for a dagger (tantō), of quatrefoil form (mokkō-gata), with raised rim (mimi), decorated with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) to form an abstract design alluding to the mushroom of immortality (reishi). Opening (hitsu-ana) to the left of nakaga-ana probably cut later and fitted with shakudo sekigane. Maker's signature on seppa-dai: Koike Naomasa (小池 直正).

    Momoyama period: End of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. Dimensions: Height 53.7 mm; Width: 45.5 mm; Thickness at centre: 3.5 mm; at rim: 4.9 mm. Other examples of signed Koike Naomasa work in this collection: TSU-0346. Reference: The closest example in literature is in Compton Collection (II): №11 with the description: “A Koike School tsuba, Edo period (circa 1625), signed Koike Yoshiro. Sheet-brass flush inlay of cloud forms and wire inlay creating the same shape. Koike Yoshiro Naomasa worked from the Keicho to the Genna periods (1596-1623). He arrived in Kyoto from Kaga.” [Japanese Swords and Sword Fittings from the Collection of Dr. Walter Ames Compton (Part II) / Sebastian Izzard, Yoshinori Munemura. — Christie's, New York, October 22, 1992]. See: Yoshirō tsuba.    
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba by Koike Naomasa. Momoyama or early Edo period (1574 – 1650).

    The so-called Yoshirō-tsuba [与四郎鐔] with an iron plate of mokkō form densely decorated with floral arabesque and adorned with eight pierced, chiselled and inlaid brass roundels and signed on both sides 'Koike Yoshirō Izumi no Kami Naomasa'. Four of the roundels are pierced and have geometrical designs representing flowers (e.g. wood sorrel) or snowflakes. Four others are solid and represent family crests; on one side: Mulberry (kaji) – mon of the Matsunaga clan [松永氏], Bamboo Grass (sasa) – mon of the Takenaka clan [竹中氏]), Wild Geese (kari) – mon of the Shibata clan [新発田氏]), and Pine Needles (matsuba); on the other side: Nine Stars (kuyō) – the Hosokawa clan [細川氏], Paulownia (kiri) – the Toyotomi clan [豊臣氏]), Bamboo Leaves (take) – the Minamoto clan [源], and Seven Treasures (shippo) – Izumo Genji clan [出雲源氏]. Hitsu-ana obliterated with a nanako-treated pewter plug. Brass with rainbow patina. Artist: Koike Izumi no Kami Naomasa (Japanese, active late 16th – early 17th century). The Momoyama or early Edo period, end of the 16th to the first half of the 17th century (1574-1650). Size: 81.7 x 78.8 x 4.3 cm. Provenance: Dr. Kazutaro Torigoye. Special thanks to Markus Sesko for providing the translation of hakogaki. Hakokaki lid (outside): 小池与四郎 – Koike Yoshirō Hakokaki lid (inside): 銘曰小池与四郎 – Mei’etsu: Koike Yoshirō – Signed: Koike Yoshirō 和泉守直正 – Izumi no Kami Naomasa – Izumi no Kami Naomasa 木瓜形 鉄地 – Mokkōgata, tetsu-ji – Lobed shape, of iron 真鍮据紋象嵌 – Shinchū suemon-zōgan – with brass suemon-zōgan inlay 縦二寸七分横二寸六分 – Tate ni-sun shichi-bu, yoko ni-sun roku-bu – Height 8.2 cm, width 7.9 cm 右正真也 – Migi shōshin nari – Above described object is authentic 昭和廾九年八月十一日 – Shōwa nijūkyūnen hachigatsu jūichinichi – August 11, 1954 草堂「花押」– Sōdō + kaō – Sōdō [pen name of Torigoye Kazutarō, 鳥越一太郎] + monogram Ref.: (1) Tsuba Geijutsu-Ko by Kazutaro Torigoye, 1960; (2) Tsuba. An aesthetic study. By Kazutaro Torigoye and Robert E. Haynes from the Tsuba Geijutsu-kō of Kazataro Torigoye. Edited and published by Alan L. Harvie for the Nothern California Japanese Sword Club, 1994-1997, p. Yoshirō, 4. See also Yoshirō tsuba.  
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. — Momoyama or early Edo period (c. 1600)

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with eight roundels – circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiseled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines or leaves all over the plate. Both hitsu-ana trimmed in brass. Nakago-ana of rectangular form, with copper sekigane. Four positive openwork (ji-sukashi) roundels at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock; and four negative openwork (in-sukashi) roundels with cherry blossom, bellflower, and two variations on suhama theme. Yoshirō school (Kaga-Yoshirō). The Momoyama or early Edo period, late 16th to early 17th century. Size: diameter 81.4 mm, thickness 4.7 mmat seppa-dai, 4.0 mm at rim. Christie's lot description: AN IRON TSUBA; EDO PERIOD (17TH CENTURY). THE DOLPHYN COLLECTION OF SAMURAI ART. The round iron tsuba pierced with roundels of various floral motifs interspersed among scrolling foliage, all inlaid with brass. 8.1 cm. high. Provenance: Pabst Collection (no. 338).
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama or early Edo period (1574-1650)

    Well-forged iron plate of round shape (maru-gata) is decorated with water weeds or arabesque (karakusa) in flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) all over and eight family crests (mon) of round form in cast brass with delicate linear carving (kebori) and openwork (sukashi). Crests represent: [at 9 hours] three counter-clockwise commas or swirls (tomoe); [at 10:30] plum blossom (ume); [at 12:00, 1:130, and 7:30] - stylized flower made by cutting out five suhama symblos (flower-shaped suhama); [at 3:00] bellflower (kikyō); [at 4:30] seven-star crest (shichiyō-mon); [at 6:00] cherry blossom (sakura). Brass-trimmed ryo-hitsu. Copper sekigane. Yoshirō school. Momoyama or early Edo period, end of the 16th to first half of the 17th century (1574-1650). Inscription on seppa-dai: 八幡 - Hachiman. Size: height 89.6 mm, width 89.3 mm, thickness at seppa-dai 3,0 mm. Weight 129.7 g. NBTHK certificate № 4007685, June 27, 2015: HOZON (Worthy of Preservation). As for the inscription, Nihonto Message Board blog discussion provides the following explanation of the inscription: "An expression of conviction as to being the best under the sun". On the other hand, there may be more in this confluence of symbols: the tomoe crest at 9:00 is "the kamon of Hachiman, the war god" [Family Crests of Japan; Stone Bridge Press, Berkeley, CA, 2007, p. 108]. The character 八 in the inscription cut stronger than the other kanji, and may be by a different hand in different time. 八 (hachi, eight): "The numeral eight was appreciated because its shape broadens toward the bottom, symbolizing eternal expansion" [ibid, p. 119]. It may be said that this tsuba is dedicated to Hachiman. Other crests (suhama, bellflower, seven-stars, plum and cherry blossoms) collectively allude to "good old times" when Fijiwara and Taira clans were in full bloom. Markus Sesko believes that the inscriptions reads: Hachiman: "the inscription is/was HACHIMAN (八幡), the God of War and a relatively popular inscription for tsuba, swords and armor." Elliott Long and Robert Haynes provide the following explanation of the inscription: "...hachi is correct and represents the name of the HACHI SHRINE. The inscription reads 'YAWATA' which is the name of the mountain in Mino Province where the HACHI Shrine is located". Details on Hachiman Shrine in Yawata (八幡市) can be found elsewhere, including Historical and geographical dictionary of Japan by Edmond Papinot. Van Ham auction house provides the following description: MON-SUKASHI TSUBA. MARUGATA. Japan. Momoyama period. Yoshiro school. Iron with inlays of brass. In hira-zogan technique with kebori engraving eight different family emblems (mon). An old inscription is dedicated to the deity Hachiman. D.4.5mm, Ø 8.3cm. Condition A/B. Supplement: Wooden box and NBTHK certificate.
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama or early Edo period (1574-1650).

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with eight roundels – circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiseled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines or leaves all over the plate. Both hitsu-ana could have been trimmed with brass now lacking. Nakago-ana of triangular form, possibly enlarged, with copper sekigane. All typical emblems with bellflower, two variations on suhama theme, and 3, 4, 5, and 6-poinitng mon variations. A distinctive character of this tsuba is a mon at 12 hours depicting water plantain (omodaka).

    “Omodaka was also called shōgunsō (victorious army grass); because of this martial connotation, it was a design favored for the crests of samurai families” [Family crests of Japan, Stone Bridge Press, Berkeley, California]. Yoshirō school (Kaga-Yoshirō). The Momoyama or early Edo period, beginning of 17th century. Size: Height: 81.4 mm; width: 81.2; thickness 3.8 mm at seppa-dai.
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama or early Edo period (1574-1650).

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with eight roundels – circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiselled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines or leaves all over the plate. Both hitsu-ana trimmed with brass. Nakago-ana of trapezoidal form. A distinctive character of this tsuba is a mon at 6 hours depicting tomoe (comma). Yoshirō school (Kaga-Yoshirō). Attributed to Koike Yoshirō Naomasa himself. Unsigned. The Momoyama or early Edo period, end of the 16th to the first half of the 17th century (1574-1650). Size: Diameter 82.0 mm, thickness 3.8 mm at seppa-dai, 3.4 mm at rim.
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama or early Edo period (1574-1650).

    Iron tsuba of round form, tapering from centre to the rim, decorated with eight roundels – circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiselled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of water plantain (omodaka) and seaweed all over the plate. Hitsu-ana outlined in brass. Four positive silhouette roundels are 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12 – pointing crests/flowers; four negative silhouette roundels – bellflower, cherry and plum blossoms. Yoshirō school (Kaga-Yoshirō). Unsigned. The Momoyama or early Edo period, end of the 16th to the first half of the 17th century (1574-1650). Size: H: 88.3 mm; W: 88.7 mm; Thickness 4.0 mm (Seppa-dai), 3,2 cm (rim). Other Kaga-Yoshiro tsuba in this collection: TSU-0334: 7.7 cm; TSU-0342.2017: 89.6 cm; TSU-0344: 8.1 cm; TSU-0329: 8.0 cm; TSU-0376.2018: 8.1 cm; TSU-0379.2018: 8.2 cm. We see that the usual size is about 8 cm; larger pieces, such as this one and TSU-0342.2017 dedicated to Hachiman, are rare. Article about Yoshiro tsuba.
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama or early Edo period.

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with eight circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiseled in kebori, as well as with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines, leaves, and flowers all over the plate. Yoshirō school (Kaga-Yoshirō). The Momoyama or early Edo period, 17th century. Size: diameter 80 mm, thickness at seppa-dai 3,6 mm. Symbols: [12:00 o'clock] - Wood sorrel (katabami) and swords ; [9:00] - Cherry blossom (sakura); [7:30] - Bellflower (kikyō), kamon of Toki clan; [3:00] - possibly, a six-petal Chrysanthemum (kiku) or a Passion flower (tessen); [1:30] - Hemp (asanoha). The symbols at 6:00, 10:30, and 4:30 o'clock seem to be geometrical patterns of auspicious meaning: a cross in a square, a four pointing star, and a diamond, respectively. Alternatively, we may look at this piece as purely decorative, with patterns at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 o'clock in negative openwork (in-sukashi), and at 1:30, 4:40, 7:20, and 10:30 o'clock - in positive openwork (ji-sukashi, or yō-sukashi). Markus Sesko in his Handbook of sword fittings related terms [Herstellung und Verlag: Books on Demand GmbH, Norderstedt, 2011] discriminates this type of openwork in a separate class: Ranma-sukashi: "This term is applied to circular sukashi with family crests to their inside, which are arranged running along the rim area. The description goes back to the opened boards (ranma) between the sliding doors and the ceiling of Japanese rooms. Ranma-sukashi are mostly seen on old Heianjō- or Yoshirō-zōgan-tsuba but also on works of Hayashi Matashichi" [page 30].
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama or early Edo period.

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with eight roundels - circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiseled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines or seaweed all over the plate. Hitsu-ana outlined in brass. Four positive silhouette roundels are 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6- pointing crests/flowers; four negative silhouette roundels are bellflower, cherry blossom, and suhama. Yoshirō school (Kaga-Yoshirō). The Momoyama or early Edo period, beginning of 17th century.   Size: diameter 77 mm, thickness 3,8 mm
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yoshirō mon-sukashi tsuba. Momoyama period (1574 – 1615).

    Iron tsuba of round form decorated with eight roundels – circular emblems of flowers and/or family crests (mon) made of cast brass, pierced and chiselled in kebori, and with flat brass inlay (hira-zōgan) of vines or leaves all over the plate. Both hitsu-ana are trimmed with brass. Nakago-ana of trapezoidal form. A distinctive character of this tsuba is a mon at 12 hours, depicting paulownia, or Kiri-mon [桐紋] – a symbol of the Toyotomi clan, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣 秀吉, 1537 – 1598). Kiri-mon was also used as fuku-mon (alternative family crests) for the Imperial Family and Imperial Court. Another important emblem at 6 o’clock is the Katakura clan [片倉氏, Katakura-shi] family crest. Katakura Kagetsuna (片倉 景綱, 1557 – 1615), a retainer of Date Masamune (伊達 政宗, 1567 – 1636); Kagetsuna was operational in Hideyoshi’s Odawara campaign in 1590, which ultimately ended the unification of Japan. Unsigned but may be attributed to Koike Yoshirō Naomasa or his workshop (Yoshirō, orKaga-Yoshirō school). Dimensions: Diameter: 85.5 mm; Thickness at seppa-dai: 5.0 mm.

    Kiri-mon

    Katakura-mon
    Favorites
    Details

  • Yōshū Chikanobu. Bandō Kakitsu I as Shizuka Gozen and Ichikawa Sadanji I as Kitsune Tadanobu / Fan print, c. 1885.

    Artist: Yōshū Chikanobu [楊洲周延], a.k.a. Toyohara Chikanobu [豊原周延] (Japanese, 1838–1912) Signed: Chikanobu ga [周延画] Publisher: Enshūya Ichibei [遠州屋市兵衛] (Japanese, before 1875–c.1887); Marks: Marks 26-165 | 056b; family name Watari Ichibei 渡市兵衛; Address Tokyo Nihonbashi Horiechō Nichōme 10-banchi 日本橋堀江町二丁目十番地. Sealed as Watari Ichibei from 1876. Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e, 団扇絵), 192 x 172 mm. Date: No seal. Play: No play/performance found Actors and Roles: — Bandō Kakitsu I: [初代 坂東 家橘] (Japanese, 1847 – 1893); other names: Ichimura Kakitsu V, Ichimura Uzaemon XIV, Ichimura Takematsu III.

    Role: Shizuka Gozen [静御ぜん].

    — Ichikawa Sadanji I [市川左団次] (Japanese, 1842 – 1904); other names: Ichikawa Shōjaku I, Ichikawa Koyone, Ichikawa Tatsuzō.

    Role: Kitsune Tadanobu [狐忠信], a.k.a. Satō Tadanobu [佐藤 忠信].

    Favorites
    Details
  • NEW

    Yōshū Chikanobu. Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Fuwa Banzaemon and Onoe Kikugorō V as Nagoya Sanza / Fan Print, 1879.

    Artist: Yōshū Chikanobu [楊洲周延], a.k.a. Toyohara Chikanobu [豊原周延] (Japanese, 1838–1912)

    Signed: 周延画 (Chikanobu ga)

    Publisher: Enshūya Ichibei [遠州屋市兵衛] (Japanese, before 1875–c.1887); Seal name En'ichi 遠市; family name Watari Ichibei 渡市兵衛; Address Tokyo Nihonbashi Horiechō Nichōme 10-banchi 日本橋堀江町二丁目十番地. Sealed as Watari Ichibei from 1876. Marks 26-165 | 056b

    Date: No date seal

    Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e, 団扇絵), 182 x 173 mm

    Actors and Roles:

    • Ichikawa Danjūrō IX [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1838 – 1903); other names: Kawarasaki Sanshō, Kawarasaki Gonnosuke VII, Kawarasaki Gonjūrō I, Kawarasaki Chōjūrō III.
      • as Fuwa Banzaemon Shigekatsu [不破伴左衛門重勝]
    • Onoe Kikugorō V [五代目尾上菊五郎] (Japanese, 1844 – 1903); other names: Onoe Baikō V, Ichimura Kakitsu IV, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII, Ichimura Kurōemon.
      • Nagoya Sanza [名古屋山三]
    Play: Mukashi moyō sato no sayaate [昔綉廓鞘当] performed at the Shintomi-za, Tokyo, in 5/1879.
    Kabuki21: "May 1879: Sawamura Tosshô II took the name of Suketakaya Takasuke IV at the Shintomiza, playing the role of Nagoya Sanza Motoharu in the drama "Mukashi Moyô Sato no Sayaate"; the role of Fuwa Banzaemon Shigekatsu (Sanza's rival in the sayaate scene) was played by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX."
    Hankyu Culture Archives:
    Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Fuwa Banzaemon Onoe Kikugorō V as Horimono-shi Unji (Tattoo Artist Unji) Suketakaya Takasuke IV as Nagoya Sanza Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Fuwa Banzaemon Onoe Kikugorō V as Nagoya Sanza
    Favorites
    Details
  • NEW

    Yōshū Chikanobu. Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Kezori Kuemon and Onoe Taganojō II as Hakata Kojorō / Fan Print, 1880s.

    Artist: Yōshū Chikanobu [楊洲周延], a.k.a. Toyohara Chikanobu [豊原周延] (Japanese, 1838–1912)

    Signed: 周延画 (Chikanobu ga) Publisher: Enshūya Ichibei [遠州屋市兵衛] (Japanese, before 1875–c.1887); Seal name En’ichi 遠市; family name Watari Ichibei 渡市兵衛; Address Tokyo Nihonbashi Horiechō Nichōme 10-banchi 日本橋堀江町二丁目十番地. Sealed as Watari Ichibei from 1876. Marks 26-165 | 056b Date: No seal (between 1876 and 1887).

    Media: 団扇絵 (uchiwa-e, fan print), 185 x 170 mm

    Play: No play, no performance/theatre identified.

    Actors and Roles:

    • Ichikawa Danjūrō IX [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1838 – 1903); other names: Kawarasaki Sanshō, Kawarasaki Gonnosuke VII, Kawarasaki Gonjūrō I, Kawarasaki Chōjūrō III.
      • Role: Kuemon (九右衛門)
    • Onoe Taganojō II 尾上多賀之丞 (Japanese, 1849-1899); other names: Onoe Kikumatsu [尾上菊松].
      • Role: Kojorō (小女郎)

    Play: While the specific play isn't explicitly mentioned, the character names suggest it could be 恋湊博多諷 (Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi) or a related version such as 博多小女郎浪枕 (Hakata Kojorō Nami Makura) or 和訓水滸伝 (Yamato Kotoba Suikoden).

    The print captures a dramatic scene featuring the pirate chief 毛剃九右衛門 (Kezori Kuemon) and the courtesan 博多小女郎 (Hakata Kojorō). Kuemon, portrayed by Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, is depicted with a commanding presence adorned in elaborate attire befitting a smuggler leader. Kojorō, played by Onoe Taganojō II, is shown in elegant courtesan garments, reflecting her status in the Hakata pleasure quarters. The background features maritime elements, hinting at the seafaring aspects of the narrative.

    The story centres on 毛剃九右衛門 (Kezori Kuemon), a notorious smuggler, and 博多小女郎 (Hakata Kojorō), a courtesan of the Okudaya brothel in Hakata. A young merchant from Kyoto, 小松屋宗七 (Komatsuya Sōshichi), becomes entangled with Kuemon during a voyage. Unaware of the ship's illicit activities, Sōshichi refuses Kuemon's invitation to join the smuggling operations and is cast overboard. Surviving the ordeal but losing his funds intended to ransom Kojorō, Sōshichi faces despair. In a twist, Kuemon, recognizing the genuine affection between Sōshichi and Kojorō, decides to assist them. He offers to ransom Kojorō on the condition that Sōshichi joins his crew. Reluctantly, Sōshichi agrees, leading to a series of events where they amass wealth through smuggling. However, their activities draw the attention of authorities. As they attempt to escape, Sōshichi is apprehended and takes his own life. Kojorō, seeking to join him in death, is instead pardoned by imperial decree upon the emperor's accession, as she is deemed innocent of any crime.

    Favorites
    Details
  • NEW

    Yōshū Chikanobu. Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Omiwa and Ichikawa Sadanji I as Kanawa Gorō / Fan Print, 1883.

    Artist: 楊洲周延 (Yōshū Chikanobu, 1838–1912)

    Signed: 周延画 (Chikanobu ga) Publisher: Enshūya Ichibei [遠州屋市兵衛] (Japanese, before 1875–c.1887); Seal name En'ichi 遠市; family name Watari Ichibei 渡市兵衛; Address Tokyo Nihonbashi Horiechō Nichōme 10-banchi 日本橋堀江町二丁目十番地. Sealed as Watari Ichibei from 1876. Marks 26-165 | 056b Date: No seal. Media: Uchiwa-e (団扇絵), multicolor woodblock print, 195 × 175 mm Actors and Roles:
    • Ichikawa Danjūrō IX [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1838 – 1903); other names: Kawarasaki Sanshō, Kawarasaki Gonnosuke VII, Kawarasaki Gonjūrō I, Kawarasaki Chōjūrō III.
      • Role: Omiwa (おみわ)
    • Ichikawa Sadanji I [市川左団次, old writing 市川左團次] (Japanese, 1842 – 1904); other names: Ichikawa Shōjaku I, Ichikawa Koyone, Ichikawa Tatsuzō.
      • Role: Kanawa Gorō (金輪五郎)

    Play: Imoseyama onna teikin (妹背山婦女庭訓), Shintomi-za, Tokyo, 10/1883

    Half-length view of two actors. The female figure on the left is identified as Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, shown in a richly decorated kimono, slightly turning her face. The male figure on the right is identified as Nakamura Shikan IV, dressed in a bold-patterned outfit, gazing forward with an intense expression. His face is adorned with kumadori (隈取) makeup, emphasizing his dramatic role and reinforcing his imposing stage presence.

    Lyon Collection: Roger Keyes in The Theatrical World of Osaka Prints wrote on page 74: "Act IV of Imoseyama is a domestic subplot. Omiwa, the daughter of a sake seller, falls in love with the son of Kamatari, one of the leaders of the anti-Soga party. When he refuses to reveal his identity, she attaches a spool of thread to his cloak and follows him, winding the reel. Her lover is following an unidentified princess with the same device, and all finally find themselves at Iruka's palace. Omiwa is noticed by one of Kamatari's subjects, Kanawa Gorō, who is loitering nearby disguised as Fukashichi, the fisherman. He stabs her. As she dies, he reveals that her lover was a courtier and that she will now be helping him to overthrow Iruka. Fukashichi then mixes her blood with the blood of a black-toed deer and smears it on his magic flute, making it possible to recover a certain Sacred Sword from Iruka at last, and sap his power."

    Images from Hankyu Culture Archive:

    Ichikawa Sadanji I as Fukashichi; Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as Omiwa;

    Nakamura Shikan IV Tōfu Goyō (とうふ御用)

    		 Ichikawa Danjūrō IX as as Omiwa Ichikawa Sadanji I as Fukashichi (ふか七)
    [Thanks to Horst Graebner: www.Kunisada.de]
    Favorites
    Details
© Copyright  ,  Varshavsky Collection