 Le théâtre érotique / Original |
 Examen de Flora / Original |
 Le théâtre érotique / Original |
 Le théâtre érotique / Original |
 Examen de Flora / Print |
 Examen de Flora / Print |
 Examen de Flora / Print |
 Examen de Flora / Print |
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Description: Hardcover, 19 x 13 cm, contemporary binding, ¾ carrot morocco with raised bands over patterned cloth, similarly patterned endpapers, original pink wrappers preserved, gilt lettering to spine, Japanese previous owner’s stamp フィリップ (Firippu or Philippe) to verso front endpaper. Title-page: EXAMEN | DE | FLORA | à l’effet d’obtenir | son diplôme de putain | PARIS || Collation/pagination: blank flyleaf, original front wrapper with vignette, [1] blank, original watercolour 13.5 x 11 cm bound in, [2] blank, [3] h.t. / frontispiece, [4] t.p., 5-45 [46] [2] limitation / blank, back wrapper, blank flyleaf, with 14 stencil-coloured photogravures (au pochoir), two of them full-page, incl. frontispiece, after Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan]. Limitation: 15 copies on Japon and 300 copies on Vélin, this is copy № 7. Edition: 1st edition thus, illustrated with 14 coloured photogravures, 2 of them full-page after Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan], enriched with an original watercolour by the same artist. Catalogue raisonné: Dutel (1920-1970): 1532, p. 160 (same copy); honesterotica.com Provenance: J.-P. Dutel Note: J.-P. Dutel dates the edition as “vers 1935”; however, based on the edition of Le théâtre érotique de la rue de la Santé / [illustré par Rojan]. — Paris: s.n., 1932 [LIB-2816.2021] in this collection, which contains some of the same illustrations, we attribute it to 1932. Contributors: Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan, Фёдор Степанович Рожанковский] (Russian-American, 1891 – 1970) – artist. Louis Protat (French, 1819 – 1881) – author. Illustrations: -
One hardcover volume, 30.2 x 25.3 cm, in red cloth blind stamped to front and spine with lettering, in pictorial dust jacket; pp.: [1-4] 5-359 [360], total 180 leaves, profusely illustrated. Subject: Japan; Theatre; Kabuki theatre; Kabuki actors; Woodblock prints. Contributors: Arendie Herwig (Dutch, fl. 2002 – 2016); Henk Herwig (Dutch, fl. 2002 – 2017). -
Aquatint finished by a drypoint on wove paper; printed by R. Taneur, depicting young woman in bar Folies Bergère in Paris. Signed in plate under image: "Félicien Rops | AUX FOLIES-BERGÈRE | L'Artiste. — Imp. R. Taneur. Owner's stamp 'LvM' on verso.
Dimensions: Paper: 26.7 x 17.6 cm; Plate: 17.5 x 11.5 cm; Image: 13.5 x 8 cm.
Catalogue raisonné: Graphics irreverent and erotic (1968): 125.
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Photogravure after a pastel drawing by F. Rops. Monogrammed in the plate 'FR'. Owner's stamp 'LvM' on verso.
Dimensions: Paper: 26 x 20 cm; Plate: 25 x 18 cm; Image: 21 x 14.5 cm.
Catalogue raisonné: Arthur Hubschmid (1977): 543; Graphics irreverent and erotic (1968): 156.
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Three volumes, 26.2 x 18.6 cm each: Vol. 1: Kabuki plays on stage: Brilliance and Bravado, 1697-1766; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xiii [xiv blank], 1-391 [1 blank], total 203 leaves, ils. Blue buckram gilt-lettered on spine, pictorial DJ. Vol. 2: Kabuki plays on stage: Villainy and Vengeance, 1773-1799; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xiii [xiv blank], 1-413 [3 blank], total 215 leaves, ils. Green buckram gilt-lettered on spine, pictorial DJ. Vol. 3: Kabuki plays on stage: Darkness and Desire, 1804-1864; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xv [xvi blank], [1] 2-397 [3 blank], total 208 leaves, ils. Ochre buckram gilt-lettered on spine, pictorial DJ. (Vol. 4: Restoration and reform, 1872-1905 – absent for the reason of no interest in the covered period). Contributors: James Rodger Brandon (American, 1927 – 2015) Samuel L. Leiter (American, b. 1940) -
An actor dressed as a witch, with red hair, a gold patterned costume with tortoiseshell and flower lozenge design, and an inlaid ivory mask, hands, feet and flower blossom. Signature to the bottom: Kogyoku [光玉]. Dimensions: 4.17 x 3.07 x 2.99 cm. Provenance: Collection of Gloria and Joe Kurilecz. Sold by Eldred's, on August 25, 1993, Lot #699. -
Description: Hardcover, 20.5 x 16 cm, contemporary binding, ¾ calf with raised bands over marbled boards in a marbled slipcase, marbled endpapers, original wrappers preserved, t.e.g., gilt lettering to spine. Content: Scapin Maquereau, drame en un acte par M. Albert Glatigny; La grisette et l’étudiant, pièce en un acte par M. Henry Monnier; Le bout de l’an de la noce, parodie du bout de l’an de l’amour de M. Théodore Barrière par MM. Lemercier de Neuville et J. du Boys; Un caprice par Lemercier de Neuville; Les jeux de l’amour et du bazar, comédie de mœurs en un acte par Lemercier de Neuville. Title-page: LE THÉATRE ÉROTIQUE | DE LA RUE DE LA SANTE | {vignette} | PARIS | — | 1932 || Collation: 2 blanks, original front wrapper with blue lettering «LE THÉATRE ÉROTIQUE | DE LA RUE DE LA SANTE», [1]4 (2 blanks, frontis., h.t. / limitation), [2]4 (t.p., f.t.p., 2 leaves of text), 3-184 (incl. 2 blanks), original back wrapper, original spine, 2 blanks; 5 full-page illustrations within collation, 5 original drawings extraneous to collation. Pagination: [4] [1-8] 9-135 [136] [4], ils. Limitation: 20 copies on Japon and 250 copies on Vélin, this is copy № 12. Edition: 1st edition thus, illustrated with 20 stencil-coloured (au pochoir) photogravures, 5 of them full-page after Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan], enriched with 5 full-page original crayon drawings by the same artist. Provenance: Stamp with J.-P. Dutel device to 1st blank leaf. Catalogue raisonné: Dutel (1920-1970): 2498, p. 385; Nordmann/Christie’s (2) 515, p. 251 Contributors: Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan, Фёдор Степанович Рожанковский] (Russian-American, 1891 – 1970) – artist. Joseph Albert Alexandre Glatigny (French, 1839 – 1873) – author. Henry-Bonaventure Monnier (French, 1799 – 1877) – author. Théodore Barrière (French, 1823 – 1877) – author. Louis Lemercier de Neuville [La Haudussière, Louis Lemercier] (French, 1830 – 1918) – author. Jean Charles Duboys [Du Boys] (French, 1836 – 1873) – author. Original crayon drawings by Rojan:
Colour prints after Rojan's drawings:
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Description: Hardcover small 4to, 20.3 x 15.8 cm, contemporary binding, quarter carrot morocco with raised bands over marbled boards, marbled endpapers, original wrappers preserved, gilt lettering to spine. Content: Scapin Maquereau, drame en un acte par M. Albert Glatigny; La grisette et l’étudiant, pièce en un acte par M. Henry Monnier; Le bout de l’an de la noce, parodie du bout de l’an de l’amour de M. Théodore Barrière par MM. Lemercier de Neuville et J. du Boys; Un caprice par Lemercier de Neuville; Les jeux de l’amour et du bazar, comédie de mœurs en un acte par Lemercier de Neuville. Title-page: LE THÉATRE ÉROTIQUE | DE LA RUE DE LA SANTE | {vignette} | PARIS | — | 1932 || Collation: 3 blanks, original front wrapper with black lettering «LE THÉATRE ÉROTIQUE | DE LA RUE DE LA SANTE», [1]4 (2 blanks, frontis., h.t. / limitation), [2]4 (t.p., f.t.p., 2 leaves of text), 3-184 (incl. 2 blanks), original back wrapper, original spine, 3 blanks; 5 full-page illustrations within collation, 3 original watercolours extraneous to collation bound in between 11 and 12 blank leaves. Pagination: [4] [1-8] 9-135 [136] [4], ils. Limitation: 20 copies on Japon and 250 copies on Vélin, this is copy № 201. Edition: 1st edition thus, illustrated with 20 coloured photogravures, 5 of them full-page after Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan], enriched with 3 full-page original watercolours by him. Catalogue raisonné: Dutel (1920-1970): 2498, p. 385; Nordmann/Christie’s (2) 515, p. 251 Contributors: Feodor Rojankovsky [Rojan, Фёдор Степанович Рожанковский] (Russian-American, 1891 – 1970) – artist. Joseph Albert Alexandre Glatigny (French, 1839 – 1873) – author. Henry-Bonaventure Monnier (French, 1799 – 1877) – author. Théodore Barrière (French, 1823 – 1877) – author. Louis Lemercier de Neuville [La Haudussière, Louis Lemercier] (French, 1830 – 1918) – author. Jean Charles Duboys [Du Boys] (French, 1836 – 1873) – author. Original watercolours:
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Cover: LA | NOUVELLE PHÈDRE | ET | LE DIRECTEUR DE L'ODEON | PAR | PAGES (DU TARN) | PRIX : 50 CENTIMES | PARIS | GUSTAVE HAVARD, LIBRAIRE–ÉDITEUR | BOULEVARD SÉBASTOPOL (RIVE GAUCHE) et rue de la Harpe. | 1858 || Pagination: [1-3] 4-48. Collation: 8vp; [1]-38 (total 24 leaves) Binding: publisher’s wrappers. Printer: Imprimerie Bonaventure et Ducessois (Paris); Ducessois, Théodore (French, 1804 – after 1864.) Bonaventure, Jules-Frédéric (French, ca. 1816 – 1891) Pagès (du Tarn) (French, fl. 1838 – 1872) – known absolutely nothing. Other works: La France, ode (M. Papailhiau, 1840); Aux Électeurs ... du Tarn (Soupe, 1848) ; Les Funérailles de Napoléon, ode (Pilout, 1840) ; Mazagran, 4, 5 et 6 février 1840, chant héroïque (M. Papailhiau, 1840) ; Herminie, ou l'Amour et l'honneur, tragédie en 5 actes, en vers (Moquet, 1872) ; Lettre à S.E. le ministre de l'Intérieur sur la nouvelle Phèdre et le Théâtre français (Moquet, 1856), etc. There is also a humorous book by Antony de Menou, which does not contain anything of substance: Un contemporain: biographie de Pagès (du Tarn). — Paris: Masgana, 1857. Antony de Menou is an obscure figure in his own right. An article about him can be found at Les derniers bohêmes by Firmin Maillard (1833 – 1901) [LIB-2652.2021]. -
One volume 23.5 x 16 x 6 cm, with glossy pictorial boards lettered to front, back and spine; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xlviii 1-766, total 407 leaves, with b/w illustrations. Title-page: Historical Dictionary of | Japanese Traditional Theatre | Second Edition | Samuel L. Leiter | ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD | Lanham • Boulder • New York • London || ISBN: 9781442239104. Author: Samuel L. Leiter (American, b. 1940) -
One volume 24.2 x 16.2 x 5.2 cm, in black cloth lettered in gilt to front cover and spine, pp.: i-vii] viii-xxxix [xl blank] [2] 3-572 [2], total 307 leaves, with b/w illustrations. Title-page: KABUKI | ENCYCLOPEDIA | An English-Language | Adaptation of | KABUKI JITEN | SAMUEL L. LEITER | {publisher’s device “GP”} | GREENWOOD PRESS | WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT • LONDON, ENGLAND || Author: Samuel L. Leiter (American, b. 1940) -
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi [西村屋与八] (Japanese, fl. c. 1751 – 1860), seal name: Eijudō. Date: c. 1821–22 (Bunsei 4–5) Size: Ōban tate-e triptych, each sheet 36.8 x 26.4 cm. Signed: 五渡亭国貞画 – Gototei Kunisada ga (on center sheet). Censor’s seal: kiwame 改印: 極 A view of the dressing room of a Theater in Dōtonbori, Ōsaka (Ōsaka Dōtonbori shibai gakuya no zu): Right sheet: Actors Bandō Mitsuemon I, Asao Tamejūrō III, Ichikawa Danzō V, Nakamura Utaemon III, Bandō Mitsugorō III (in a costume of Matsuômaru), Kiriyama Monji III, Nakamura Utashichi II, Arashi Shôroku IV, Nakamura Matsue III, Matsumoto Kōshirō V, Ichikawa Komazō V. Centre sheet: Arashi Mitsugorō III, Mimasu Daigorō III, Nakayama Bunshichi III, Ichikawa Ichizō II, Bandō Minosuke II, Ichikawa Omezō I, Arashi Kitsusaburō I, Nakamura Utaroku I, Kataoka Nizaemon VII, Ōtani Tomoemon III, Asao Yūjirō I. Left sheet: Asao Kuzaemon I, Arashi Hidenosuke III, Sawamura Gennosuke II, Iwai Ōginosuke, Sawamura Kunitarō II, Iwai Matsunosuke I, Ichikawa Sōzaburō IV, Iwai Hanshirō V (in a costume of Sakuramaru), and Ichikawa Shinzō III (L). The actors are making up for a performance of the “Carriage-Stopping” scene from Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (Sugawara Denju and the Secrets of Calligraphy). References: MFA Accession №: 11.43384a-c; Catalogue Raisonné: Izzard, Kunisada’s World (1993), #34; Hizô Ukiyo-e taikan/Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections 5, Victoria and Albert Museum II (1987), pl. 22; Keyes, PMA Osaka cat. (1973), #250 and pl. 15 (The theatrical world of Osaka prints, by Roger S. Keyes and Keiko Mizushima, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1973), pp. 70-71); Izzard, Kunisada's world revisited, 2021; V&A Accession № E.5995-1886. Kabuki actors on this print: Arashi Hidenosuke III [嵐秀之助] (Japanese, fl. 1794 – 1837); other names: Arashi Koshichi IV, Arashi Hinasuke IV, Arashi Sanjūrō VI, Kanō Hidenosuke II, Kanō Umetarō, Arashi Iwajirō III. Arashi Kitsusaburō I [嵐橘三郎] (Japanese, 1769 – 1821); other names: Arashi Kichisaburō II, Arashi Rikan I. Arashi Mitsugorō III (Japanese, ? – ?) Arashi Shōroku IV [四代目嵐小六] (Japanese, 1783 – 1826) Asao Kuzaemon I [浅尾工左衛門] (Japanese, 1758 – 1824); other names: Asai Kuzaemon Nakayama Tashirō II Takeda Nisaburō. Asao Tamejūrō III [三代目淺尾爲十郎] (Japanese, 1780 – 1836); other names: Asao Okuyama III, Asao Okuyama III, Asao Tomozō I. Asao Yūjirō I [浅尾勇次郎] (Japanese, 1782 – 1835); other names: Jitsukawa Gakujūrō I, Asao Gakujūrō, Nakamura Yaozō, Asao Yaozō. Bandō Minosuke II [坂東蓑助] (Japanese, 1802 – 1863); other names: Morita Kan'ya XI, Bandô Mitsugorō IV. Bandō Mitsuemon I [坂東三津右衛門] (Japanese, 1788 – 1846); other names: Bandō Kumahei [坂東熊平]. Bandō Mitsugorō III [三代目 坂東 三津五郎] (Japanese, 1775 – 1831); other names: Bandō Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirô II, Bandō Mitahachi I, Bandō Minosuke I, Bandō Mitahachi I. Ichikawa Danzō V [市川団蔵] (Japanese, 1788 – 1845); other names: Ichikawa Shikō I, Ichikawa Danzaburō IV, Ichikawa Danjirō I, Ichikawa Morinosuke I. Ichikawa Ichizō II [市川市蔵] (Japanese, 1806 – 1829); other names Ichikawa Ebijūrō II, Ichikawa Sukezō I. Ichikawa Komazō V [市川高麗蔵] (Japanese, 1812 – 1849); other names: Matsumoto Kinshō I, Matsumoto Kōshirō VI, Matsumoto Kinshi. Ichikawa Omezō I [市川男女蔵] (Japanese, 1781 – 1833); other names: Ichikawa Benzō II, Ichikawa Bennosuke. Ichikawa Shinzō III [市川新蔵] (Japanese, 1793 – 1837); other names: Ichikawa Sumizō III, Nakayama Tomisaburô II, Nakayama Kinsha, Nakayama Tomisaburō II, Ichikawa Komazō IV, Ichikawa Santarō. Ichikawa Sōzaburō IV (Japanese, ? – ?) Iwai Hanshirō V [岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1776 – 1847); other names: Iwai Tojaku, Iwai Kumesaburō I. Iwai Matsunosuke I [岩井松之助] (Japanese, 1804 – 1845); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VII, Iwai Shijaku I, Iwai Komurasaki I. Iwai Ōginosuke (Japanese, ? – ?) Kataoka Nizaemon VII [七代目片岡仁左衛門] (Japanese, 1755 – 1837); other names: Yamazawa Kunigorō, Asao Kunigorō II, Nakamura Matsusuke. Kiriyama Monji III [桐山紋治] (Japanese, fl. c. 1803 – 1830); other names: Ichikawa Takigorō. Matsumoto Kōshirō V [五代目松本幸四郎] (Japanese, 1764-1838); other names: Ichikawa Komazô III, Ichikawa Sumizô I. Mimasu Daigorō III [三枡大五郎] (Japanese, 1782 – 1824); other names: Mimasu Seibē, Yoshizawa Kamezō. Nakamura Matsue III [三代目中村松江] (Japanese, 1786-1855); other names: Nakamura Sankō I, Nakamura Tomijūrō II, Ichikawa Kumatarō. Nakamura Utaemon III [中村歌右衛門] (Japanese, 1778 – 1838); other names: Nakamura Tamasuke, Nakamura Baigyoku I, Nakamura Shikan I, Kagaya Fukunosuke I. Nakamura Utaroku I (Japanese, ? – ?) Nakamura Utashichi II (Japanese, ? – ?) Nakayama Bunshichi III [三代目目中山文七] (Japanese, 1764 – 1853); other names: Nakayama Hyakka, Nakayama Hyōtarō I, Nakayama Tokusaburō. Ōtani Tomoemon III [大谷友右衛門] (Japanese, 1793–1839); other names: Arashi Shagan IV, Arashi Sanpachi II, Nakayama Monzaburō. Sawamura Gennosuke II [沢村源之助](Japanese, 1802/7 – 1853); other names: Suketakaya Takasuke III, Sawamura Chōjūrō V, Sawamura Sōjūrō V, Sawamura Tosshō I, Sawamura Genpei I. Sawamura Kunitarō II [沢村国太郎](Japanese, 1798 – 1836); other names: Ogino Kinshi, Ogino Yaegiri III, Ogino Kamekichi, Izumikawa Kamekichi. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786–1865). Signed: 五渡亭国貞画 (Gototei Kunisada ga) Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1820–1850) Date: Year of the Hare (卯) – Tenpō 2 (1831) plus Aratame (改) Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 225 × 266 mmActors and Roles:
- Bandō Mitsugorō III [三代目 坂東 三津五郎] (Japanese, 1775–1831); other names: Bandō Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirō II, Bandō Mitahachi I, Bandō Minosuke I, Bandō Mitahachi I.
- Played Nowaki-hime no Yūkon (野分姫のゆうこん), disguised as a Shinobu seller (しのふ売り), performing a shosagoto (tari shosagoto, たり所作事).
- Seki Sanjūrō II [関三十郎] (Japanese, 1786–1839); other names: Seki Utasuke I, Nakamura Utasuke, Arashi Sōtarō.
- Played Watashimori (ferryman) Jinzō (渡し守甚三), also referred to as Dōguya Jinzō (道具屋甚三), a merchant.
We examined multiple documents from the Waseda University database, specifically related to the kabuki program at Ichimura-za in Edo on March 22, 1831 (Tenpō 2, 3rd month):
- Tsuji banzuke (辻番付, street playbill) – A printed advertisement listing the plays and performers.
- Yakuwari-bon (役割本, role listing) – A document detailing actor-role assignments.
- Illustrated playbill pages – Containing scenes from the performances.
- Crest record (kamon, 家紋) – Indicating actor affiliations.
Performance Overview
- Theater: Ichimura-za, Edo
- Date: March 22, 1831 (Tenpō 2, 3rd month)
- Plays Performed:
- 楼門五山桐 (Rōmon Gojō no Kiri) – A historical drama (jidaimono), possibly the first-ranking large performance (ichibanme ōdai, 一番目大切).
- 鐘渕劇場故 (Kanegafuchi Shibai no Furugoto) – Likely a domestic drama (sewamono) forming the middle section of the program.
- 染分忍彩色 (Somewake te Shinobu no Irozashi) – A second-ranking large performance (nibanme ōdai, 二番目大切), potentially a concluding dance (shosagoto, 所作事).
- Bandō Mitsugorō III [三代目 坂東 三津五郎] (Japanese, 1775–1831); other names: Bandō Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirō II, Bandō Mitahachi I, Bandō Minosuke I, Bandō Mitahachi I.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786–1865). Signed: 五渡亭国貞画 (Gototei Kunisada ga). Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1820–1850). Date: 1834 — date aratame seal: 午改 – Year of the Horse, Tenpō 5. Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 235 x 263 mm. Play: Chūshingura, Act VI (Chūshingura, rokudanme, 忠臣蔵 六段目) Actors and Roles: Ichikawa Komazō V [市川高麗蔵] (Japanese, 1812 – 1849); other names: Matsumoto Kinshō I, Matsumoto Kōshirō VI, Matsumoto Kinshi.Role: Hayano Kanpei (早野勘平)
Segawa Tamon II [瀬川多門)] (Japanese, 1815-1857); other names: Nakamura Daikichi III, Nakamura Matsue 4.5, Sawamura Kitō, Nakamura Keishi, Nakamura Naruo.Role: Okaru (おかる), Kanpei's wife or lover
This print depicts a dramatic moment from Chūshingura, Act VI, where Kanpei and Okaru are living in seclusion at the home of Okaru's parents in the countryside. Kanpei, wearing a plaid kimono (格子, kōshi pattern) with a yellow sash, sits cross-armed, gazing at his lover with a tense expression. Okaru, dressed in a blue kimono adorned with butterflies and a diaper motif, with black and red accents, leans toward Kanpei in a pleading gesture. The background landscape, enclosed within a decorative cloud frame, suggests a possible mitate (thematic reinterpretation) of the scene. We were unable to confirm these actors in these roles in either 1834 or 1833. The red cartouche on the right reads 忠臣蔵 六段目 (Chūshingura, Act VI).
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Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signature: Kunisada ga [国貞画] in a red double-gourd cartouche. No publisher's seal, no date or censor's seal is present on this print. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1815 – 1869) (inferred) Date: 1833 (inferred) Media: Fan print (aiban uchiwa-e); 232 x 289 mm. Series: Tosei rok’kasen or Tosei rokkasen [當世六花撰] – two translations: (1) by Sebastian Izzard: Six choice modern flowers, (2) by Horst Graebner: Modern Six [Immortal] Poets. Character: Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII [七代目 市川 團十郎]; other names: Ichikawa Ebizō V, Ichikawa Shinnosuke I (Japanese, 1791 – 1859). Poet: Ōtomo no Kuronushi [大友 黒主] (Japanese, dates unknown) A fan print featuring a half-length, three-quarter view, turned to the right portrait of Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII. He wipes off his stage makeup with a white towel (tenugui, 手拭い) held to his face. He wears a black kimono with bold geometric motifs of nested squares, referencing the Mimasu-mon (三升紋, Mitsumasu-mon), the Ichikawa Danjūrō family crest, visible on his sleeves and shoulders. He is seated in front of a lacquered mirror stand, adorned with gilt peonies (牡丹) and arabesque (唐草, karakusa). The background features a blue and purple gradient decorated with floral roundels, with a red hanging scroll inscribed with Ōtomo no Kuronushi’s name. The series title Tōsei Rokkasen (当世六歌撰) appears in the red cartouche to the left, and the artist's signature is in the double-gourd red cartouche to the right. This print does not have a reverse side with publisher and date seals, but based on similar prints from the series, it is likely a double-sheet composition originally produced with these details on the back. Izzard: "... six prints make up this set of fan prints, which compares contemporary artists with classic poets, in this case, Ichikawa Danjūrō VII with Ōtomo no Kuronushi [大友 黒主] (Japanese, dates unknown)". Rok'kasen [六歌仙] – six poetry immortals. According to Izzard, identification of the portrayed person is made possible by mimasu-mon [三升] on the robe, scrolling peony on the back of the mirror, and cloth decorated with the characters Yauan, one of the actor's poetry names, and other signs and symbols, including the inscription of the acter's guild name Naritaya. The absence of the publisher’s emblem and censorship seals may indicate that this was a privately issued print, not for public use. Update – 03 March 2025: After acquiring three additional prints from this series, it became evident that these fan prints are actually double-sheet compositions, with the publisher’s seal, date seal, and censor’s seal located on the reverse side of the fan. See SVJP-0469.2025, SVJP-0470.2025, and SVJP-0471.2025 for reference. Ref: (1) [LIB-2967.2022] Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865): His world revisited / Catalogue № 17, Exhibition March 17-21, 2021. — NY: Sebastian Izzard, LLC., 2021; p. 130-1, fig. 42). (2) Lyon Collection.Provenance: Paul F. Walter.
Mimasu-mon, or Mitsumasu, is the Ichikawa Danjūrō family crest – three wooden measures, nested square boxes.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signature: Kunisada ga [国貞画] in a red double-gourd cartouche. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1815 – 1869); seal: san (三) in a circle to verso. Date seal: Year of the Snake (巳, mi), Tenpō 4 , 1833, to verso. Censor seal: kiwame (極, approved), to verso. Media: Double-side fan print (uchiwa-e); 225 x 292 mm. Series: Tosei rok’kasen or Tosei rokkasen [當世六花撰] – two translations: (1) by Sebastian Izzard: Six choice modern flowers, (2) by Horst Graebner: Modern Six [Immortal] Poets. Character: Ichikawa Danzō V [市川団蔵] (Japanese, 1788 – 1845); Ichikawa Shikō I, Ichikawa Danzaburō IV, Ichikawa Danjirō I, Ichikawa Morinosuke I. Poet: Fun'ya/Bunya Yasuhide [文屋康秀] (Japanese, ? – c.885) – one of Six Immortal Poets (六歌仙, rokkasen)A double-sheet uncut fan print with a half-length, three-quarter view, turned to the right, portrait of kabuki actor Ichikawa Danzō V holding a sensu (扇子, folding fan) with a yellow and red design in his right hand, gripping it close to his chest. He wears a blue kimono with circular floral motifs and a white undergarment with a purple geometric pattern; a white hexagonal crest with three stripes is visible on his sleeve. A red scroll with an inscription is hanging behind him. The inscription on a red background reads: Fun'ya (or Bunya) Yasuhide (文屋康秀). Ichikawa Danzō V (市川団蔵) is written with hentaigana and hiragana as Mikawaya Shikō (みかわやしこう), the guild and poetry names of Danzō. The series title Tōsei Rokkasen (当世六歌撰) appears in the red cartouche to the left, and the artist's signature is in the double-gourd red cartouche to the right. The background features a green and purple gradient decorated with floral roundels.
The reverse side features a decorative design with floral roundels in blue and green. A paper slip (tanzaku, 短冊) with a red cloud-like gradient at the edges is positioned diagonally across the composition. The slip contains a calligraphic inscription in cursive script. Three standard seals, publisher, approval, and date, are in the bottom right quadrant of the print.
Ref: (1) [LIB-2967.2022] Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865): His world revisited / Catalogue № 17, Exhibition March 17-21, 2021. — NY: Sebastian Izzard, LLC., 2021; p. 130-1. (2) [LIB-1212.2017] Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, 2016, p. 58. [With tremendous help from Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project]. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貴] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豐国] (Japanese, 1786–1865)
Publisher: unknown (Ichi-To, 未詳); Marks 05-012 | U085a; seal (一、ト). Date-aratame seal: Bunsei 5 (文政五年, 1822). Media: Fan print (Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e, 合別横絵団扇絵); 234 × 264 mm. Actor: Matsumoto Kōshirō V [五代相本幸四郎] (Japanese, 1764–1838); other names: Ichikawa Komazō III [市川高麻蔵], Ichikawa Sumizō I [市川寿美蔵]. Role: Hanakawado no Sukeroku [花川戸の助六]. Play: Sukeroku sakura no futae obi [助六桜の二重帯].This bust-length portrait depicts kabuki actor Matsumoto Kōshirō V in the role of Hanakawado no Sukeroku under a vast umbrella, in a three-quarter view, facing right, with his fist firmly clenched, and with an expression of intensity and determination. His protuberant nose is accentuated, a defining feature of Matsumoto Kōshirō V. The actor wears a black outer robe adorned with stylized peonies (牡丹, botan), a floral motif symbolizing strength, nobility, and elegance—qualities that define both the Sukeroku character and Kōshirō V’s acting style. The print belongs to the yakusha-e (役者絵, "actor print") genre, celebrating kabuki stars of the Edo period. The artist's signature, publisher’s seal, and censor’s seal are written on the umbrella. Play Sukeroku sakura no futae obi was staged in March 1822 (Bunsei 5) at Kawarazaki Theater (歌川戸室) in Edo (Tokyo). In this version of the Sukeroku narrative, the protagonist is revealed to be Jirō Suketoshi of Kyoto [京の次郎祐俊], a nobleman in disguise. Like other Sukeroku adaptations, the story centres on themes of chivalry, revenge, and romantic rivalry in Edo’s pleasure quarters. Another Kunisada's portraits of Matsumoto Kōshirō V as Sukeroku, in Ōban format:
The History of Sukeroku in Kabuki Theater
The play Sukeroku (English title Sukeroku: Flower of Edo), originally titled Hana Yakata Aigo Zakura (花館愛護櫻), premiered in the 3rd lunar month of 1713 at Yamamuraza in Edo. The script was written by Tsuuchi Han'emon (津打半右衛門) under the guidance of Tsuuchi Jihē II (津打治兵衛, 1679–1760). The inaugural performance featured Ichikawa Danjūrō II as Sukeroku, Tamazawa Rin'ya as Agemaki, Ikushima Shingorô as the shirozake seller (白酒売り) Shinbē, and Yamanaka Heikurô I as Ikyū. Three years later, in 1716, Tsuuchi Jihē II revised the play, integrating it into the well-known Soga brothers' revenge tale. In this adaptation, Sukeroku, Agemaki, and Shinbē were revealed to be Soga Gorō Tokimune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shōshō, and Soga Jūrō Sukenari, respectively. This revised version was staged at Nakamuraza in the 2nd lunar month of 1716, with Ichikawa Danjūrō II reprising the role of Sukeroku, joined by Nakamura Takesaburô I (Agemaki), Mimasuya Sukejûrô I (Shinbē), Sodeoka Masanosuke II (Soga’s mother Mankō), and Ôtani Hiroemon I (Ikyū). Over time, Sukeroku became closely associated with the Ichikawa Danjūrō acting lineage, captivating Edo audiences and securing its place in the kabuki repertoire. Though traditionally performed by members of the Naritaya guild, the role of Sukeroku was occasionally played by actors from outside the Ichikawa family. The play was later staged under the title Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura for the first time in the 4th lunar month of 1782 at Ichimuraza, with Ichimura Uzaemon IX portraying the titular role. Comparison to Toyokuni I’s 1816 Print Kunisada’s portrait can be viewed as a homage to his mentor, Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代歌川豊国] (1769–1825), whose earlier 1816 bust-length portrait of Iwai Hanshirō V [岩井半四郎] as Sukeroku (published by Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎]) shares a similar composition and dramatic pose. While Matsumoto Kōshirō V’s portrayal (Kunisada, 1822) emphasizes power and masculinity through the peony motif, Iwai Hanshirō V’s 1816 version (Toyokuni I) reflects grace and refinement, featuring a kimono adorned with irises (菖蒲, shōbu)—a flower symbolizing purity and elegance. Additionally, the word shōbu (iris) is a homophone for 尚武, meaning "martial spirit", subtly reinforcing Sukeroku’s strength beneath his stylish exterior. These contrasts highlight the differences in kabuki acting styles—with Kōshirō V specializing in strong, heroic roles and Hanshirō V excelling in onnagata (female-role) performances. -
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Kunisada ga [国貞画] in a yellow double-gourd cartouche. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburo [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1845 – 1847). Date aratame seal: Bunsei 13 – Tenpō 1 (1830). Actor: Nakamura Utaemon IV [中村歌右衛門] (Japanese, 1796 – 1852); other names: Nakamura Shikan II [二代目中村芝翫], Nakamura Tsurusuke I, Nakamura Tōtarō. Play: Yoshitsune’s Letter at Koshigoe [義経腰越状] (Yoshitsune Koshigoe-jo). Uncut fan print (uchiwa-e, 団 扇 絵), 229 x 267 mm, depicting kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan [中村芝翫] as Gotobei [五斗兵衛]. Nakamura Utaemon IV held the name of Nakamura Shikan II from the 11th lunar month of 1825 to the 1st lunar month of 1836. He was born as Hirano Kichitarō in Edo in 1796. Another fan print with the same subject in this collection [SVJP-0344.2021]:
"...The play Yoshitsune Koshigoe-jo was originally written for the puppet theatre (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in the 7th lunar month of 1754 in Ôsaka at the Toyotakeza. It was a revision of two early plays, Namiki Sōsuke's Nanbantetsu Gotō no Menuki (1735) and Yoshitsune Shin Fukumijō (1744). The title, which suggested that the play focused on Minamoto no Yoshitsune, was in fact dealing with the siege of the Ōsaka Castle, led by Tokugawa Ieyasu to destroy the Toyotomi clan in 1614 and 1615. This play was quickly forbidden because of the 4th act in which Gotobei's wife fired a gun at Yoritomo (this was of course interpreted as an attack on the Shogunate). Yoshitsune Koshigoe-jo was revised in 1770 by Toyotake Ōritsu, who completely rewrote the 4th act for a puppet production at the Kitahorieza in Ōsaka". Yoshitsune Koshigoe-jo was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Ichimuraza on the 9th lunar month of 1790, and is still performed.
Gotobei [五斗兵衛] (Gotohei or Gotobē), one of Yoshitsune’s loyal retainers, is forced to choose between his son’s life or his loyalty to Yoshitsune. Nishikidō brothers, who do not want Gotobei to become Yoshitsune's chief strategist, forced him to drink sake and get asleep. To prove Gotobei's military abilities, Izumi no Saburō fires a gun next to Gotobei's ear, and "he jumps up immediately, in full possession of his senses, ready to repulse any enemy". See: [LIB-1193.2013] Samuel L. Leiter. Kabuki Encyclopedia: An English-language adaptation of Kabuki Jiten. — Westport, CT; London: Greenwood Press, 1979; pp. 266-7).
Ref: [LIB-2993.2022] Fig. 24 in Israel Goldman. Japanese prints and paintings / 40th anniversary; Catalogue 27, 2021.
Two more Kunisada's fan prints (in Paul Griffith's collection), depicting the same actor Nakamura Shikan II as Toneri Matsuōmaru [舎人松王丸] were published in 1832 by Iseya Ichiemon. The play was Sugawara's Secrets of Calligraphy [菅原伝授手習鑑] (Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami). See: [LIB-1212.2017] Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty / Introduction by Sebastian Izzard, contributions by Paul Griffith and Henk. J. Herwig. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, ©2016.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signature: Kunisada ga [国貞画] in a red double-gourd cartouche. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1815 – 1869); seal: san (三) in a circle to verso. Date seal: Year of the Snake (巳, mi), Tenpō 4 , 1833, to verso. Censor seal: kiwame (極, approved), to verso. Media: Double-side fan print (uchiwa-e); 226 x 291 mm. Series: Tosei rok’kasen or Tosei rokkasen [當世六花撰] – two translations: (1) by Sebastian Izzard: Six choice modern flowers, (2) by Horst Graebner: Modern Six [Immortal] Poets. Character: Nakamura Shikan II [中村芝翫] (Japanese, 1796 – 1852); other names: Nakamura Utaemon IV [中村歌右衛門], Nakamura Tsurusuke I, Nakamura Tōtarō, Nakamura Kanjaku I, Fujima Kamesaburô (dance), Hirano Kichitarō; nicknames: Narikomaya Utaemon, Shijaku Utaemon; Poetry names: Kanjaku, Shishô [芝賞]. Poet: Kisen Hōshi [喜撰法師] (Japanese, fl. 810-824 CE) – one of Six Immortal Poets (六歌仙, rokkasen) A double-sheet uncut fan print featuring a half-length, three-quarter view, turned to the left portrait of Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan II (中村芝翫 二代目) engaged in a tea ceremony (chanoyu, 茶の湯). He holds a chashaku (茶杓, tea scoop) in his right hand and a natsume (棗, tea caddy) in his left. The natsume is red lacquer, adorned with gilt karakusa (唐草, arabesque) and a meander motif. He wears a black robe with blue-patterned details, and a white mokkō-mon (木瓜紋, family crest) is visible on his sleeve. A red scroll with an inscription hangs behind him; the inscription reads: Kisen Hōshi (喜撰法師). The name of Nakamura Shikan II (中村芝翫) is written in hentaigana and hiragana as Narikomaya Shikan (なりこまやしかん), reflecting his guild name. The series title Tōsei Rokkasen (当世六歌撰) appears in the red cartouche to the left, and the artist’s signature is in the double-gourd red cartouche to the right. The background features a green and purple gradient decorated with floral roundels. The reverse side features a decorative design with floral roundels in blue and green. A paper slip (tanzaku, 短冊) with a red cloud-like gradient at the edges is positioned diagonally across the composition. It contains a calligraphic inscription in cursive script. Three standard seals—publisher, approval, and date—are in the bottom right quadrant of the print.Ref: (1) [LIB-2967.2022] Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865): His world revisited / Catalogue № 17, Exhibition March 17-21, 2021. — NY: Sebastian Izzard, LLC., 2021; p. 130-1. (2) [LIB-1212.2017] Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, 2016, p. 58. [With tremendous help from Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project].
Mokko-mon of Narikomaya guild
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signature: Kunisada ga [国貞画] in a red double-gourd cartouche. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1815 – 1869); seal: san (三) in a circle to verso. Date seal: Year of the Snake (巳, mi), Tenpō 4 , 1833, to verso. Censor seal: kiwame (極, approved), to verso. Media: Double-side fan print (uchiwa-e); 225 x 283 mm. Series: Tosei rok’kasen or Tosei rokkasen [當世六花撰] – two translations: (1) by Sebastian Izzard: Six choice modern flowers, (2) by Horst Graebner: Modern Six [Immortal] Poets. Character: Sawamura Tosshō I [沢村訥升] (Japanese, 1802 – 1853); other names: Sawamura Gennosuke II, Suketakaya Takasuke III, Sawamura Chōjūrō V, Sawamura Sōjūrō V, Sawamura Genpei I, Sawamura Tosshi V; Poetry names: Kōga, Tosshi V, Tosshō; Guild: Kinokuniya. Poet: Ariwara Narihira [在原業平] (Japanese, 825 – 9 July 880) – one of Six Immortal Poets (六歌仙, rokkasen) A double-sheet uncut fan print featuring a half-length, three-quarter view, turned to the right portrait of Kabuki actor Sawamura Tosshō I. He holds a bow (yumi, 弓) and an arrow (ya, 矢) in his left hand, while his right hand grasps the collar of his under-kimono, with his thumb tucked inside. He wears a blue outer kimono patterned with a woven lattice motif, lined with red and yellow on the sleeves. Beneath it, his red under-kimono with a black collar is visible. A white towel (tenugui, 手拭い) is draped around his neck and shoulder. A red scroll with an inscription hangs behind him, reading: Ariwara Narihira (在原業平); Sawamura Tosshō I (沢村訥升). His name is written with kanji, hentaigana, and hiragana: Kinokuniya Tosshō (きの國やとし志ょう)—his guild and poetry names. The series title Tōsei Rokkasen (当世六歌撰) appears in the red cartouche to the left, and the artist’s signature is in the double-gourd red cartouche to the right. The background features a blue and yellow gradient decorated with floral roundels. The reverse side features a decorative design with floral roundels in blue and green. A paper slip (tanzaku, 短冊) with a red cloud-like gradient at the edges is positioned diagonally across the composition. It contains a calligraphic inscription in cursive script. Three standard seals—publisher, approval, and date—are in the bottom right quadrant of the print. Ref: (1) [LIB-2967.2022] Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865): His world revisited / Catalogue № 17, Exhibition March 17-21, 2021. — NY: Sebastian Izzard, LLC., 2021; p. 130-1. (2) [LIB-1212.2017] Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, 2016, p. 58. [With tremendous help from Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project]. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786–1865) Signed: 五渡亭国貞画 (Gototei Kunisada ga) Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1820–1850) Date: 1825 — date aratame seal: 酉改 – Year of the Rooster, Bunsei 8 Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 230 x 270 mm Play: Sono uwasa sakura no irodoki (其噂桜色時), Nakamura-za, 3/1825 Actors and Roles: Onoe Kikugorō III [尾上菊五郎] (Japanese, 1784 – 1849); other names: Ōkawa Hashizō I, Onoe Baikō III, Onoe Matsusuke II, Onoe Eizaburō I.Role: Denbei (伝兵へ)
Iwai Kumesaburō II [岩井粂三郎] (Japanese, 1799 – 1836); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Hisajirō I; poetry names Baiga, Shūka.Role: Oshun (おしゆん)
A dramatic encounter between Denbei and Oshun, set beneath a blooming cherry tree. The background features a fenced garden and a veranda, suggesting a domestic setting with a sliding fusuma (襖) screen on the right.
Denbei, dressed in a blue striped kimono adorned with cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums, sits on the floor (tatami?), gripping a length of cloth, the other end of which is held by Oshun. Oshun, wearing a plaid kimono (格子, kōshi pattern) with butterflies and a red and black obi featuring gold cloud brocade, leans forward with an assertive gesture, pulling at the cloth Denbei holds. Her hairstyle is highly ornamented with combs and pins.
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Sawamura Gennosuke II [沢村源之助] (Suketakaya Takasuke III, Sawamura Chōjūrō V, Sawamura Sōjūrō V, Sawamura Tosshō I, Sawamura Genpei I, Japanese, 1802/7 – 1853) as Ushiwakamaru [牛若丸], a.k.a. Minamoto no Yoshitsune [源 義経]. Ichikawa Danjūrō VII [市川団十郎] (Ichikawa Ebizō V, Ichikawa Hakuen II, Ichikawa Shinnosuke I, Japanese, 1791 – 1859) as Benkei, a.k.a. Saitō Musashibō Benkei [西塔武蔵坊弁慶] (Japanese, 1155 – 1189) Performance: Grand finale dance play [大切所作事] (ōgiri shosagoto) at Soga Festival - A Composite Piece of Musashi「曽我祭武蔵摂物 ごさいれいむさしのひきもの)」 (Gosairei Musashi no hikimono), performed at Kawarazakiza (河原崎座) in 05/1831 (See kabuki plays from 1831). Soga Festival (Soga Matsuri) is an annual theatre event in Edo (Tokyo). Scene: The Fight on Gojo Bridge or Benkei on the Bridge [橋弁慶] (Hashi Benkei). The story relates how Benkei, first a monk, then a mountain ascetic, and then a rogue warrior, a man of Herculean strength, was subdued by the young Onzoshi Ushiwaka Maru (Yoshitsune) on Gojo Bridge. Benkei wandered around Kyoto with the intention of relieving 1000 samurai of their swords. One night, with one more sword to go, he saw Yoshitsune playing the flute and wearing a golden sword at the Gojotenjin Shrine. They agreed to fight on Gojo Bridge in southern Kyoto. However, Yoshitsune was too agile for Benkei and had been educated in the secrets of fighting by the tengu. Following Yoshitsune’s victory, Benkei became Yoshitsune’s retainer. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Toyokuni III (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburo [伊場屋仙三郎]. Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga [五渡亭国貞画]. Date-aratame seal: Tenpō 2 (1831). Size: Fan print (uchiwa-e). Ref.: (1) Tokyo Metropolitan Library, 請求記号 M339-6/東M339-006. (2) Ritsumeikan University, Art Research Center, Portal Database M339-006(02).
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786–1865). Signed: 五渡亭国貞画 (Gototei Kunisada ga). Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1820–1850). Date-Aratame Seal: 寅改, Tora-aratame, Tenpō 1 (1830). Media: Aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e (団扇絵), color woodblock print, 229 × 266 mm. Actors and Roles:- Bandō Minosuke II [坂東蓑助] (Japanese, 1802–1863); other names: Morita Kan'ya XI, Bandō Mitsugorō IV.
- Depicted as a goldfish vendor (kingyo-uri, 金魚売).
- Iwai Kumesaburō II (二代目 岩井 粂三郎) (Japanese, 1799–1836); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Hisajirō I, Baiga (poetry name), Shūka (poetry name).
- Depicted as a geisha.
- Bandō Minosuke II [坂東蓑助] (Japanese, 1802–1863); other names: Morita Kan'ya XI, Bandō Mitsugorō IV.
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NEWIchikawa Danjūrō VII [市川団十郎] and Iwai Kumesaburō II [岩井粂三郎] as Kinugawa Iemon [絹川伊右衛門] and Tōfuya Kasane [とうふやヶさね], resp., in kabuki play Banzei okuni kabuki [万歳阿国歌舞妓], performed at Ichimura Theatre [市村座] on March, 21, 1827. References: Kunisada Project; Waseda University. Ichikawa Danjūrō VII [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1791 – 1859); other names: Ichikawa Ebizō V, Ichikawa Hakuen II, Ichikawa Shinnosuke I. Iwai Hanshirō VI [[岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1799 – 1836); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Kumesaburō II, Iwai Hisajirō I, Baiga (poetry name), Shūka (poetry name). Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga [五渡亭國貞画]. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. 1790s-1860s). Date seal and aratame seal: boar (亥), Bunsei 10 – 1827. Untrimmed fan print (aiban yoko-e uchiwa-e), 235 x 270 mm. Ichimura-za Kabuki Playbill (Tsuji banzuke): -
NEWRigid uchiwa fan, ink and colour on paper. Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII in a crimson red robe, on his knees in a ceremonial bowing position to the audience during a formal stage announcement before the performance (Kojo, 口上). The fan has been used, dismounted from the frame, and laid onto Japanese paper, hence the rib marks. Painted c. 1850. Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1823 – 1854); other names: Ichikawa Ebizō VI, Ichikawa Shinnosuke II. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Toyokuni hitsu [豊国筆] with red toshidama seal. Dimensions: 280 x 325 mm Reference: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII by Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳, 1855. -
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III (Japanese, 1786 – 1865) [歌川 国貞]. Publisher: Unidentified, Marks 01-033|U335a To-Chū [ト忠] Date-aratame seal: Bunka 14 (1817). Signed: Kunisada ga [国貞画]. Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e), 230 x 270 mm. Kabuki play Chūkō shōbu-gatana [忠孝菖蒲刀] performed at the Nakamura Theater in Tokyo (Edo) in 5/1817. Actor Seki Sanjūrō II [関三十郎], a.k.a. Seki Utasuke I; Nakamura Utasuke; Arashi Sôtarô; Meijin Seki; Sekisan (Japanese, 1786 – 1839) as Nakano Tōbei [中野藤兵衛] – top. Actor Bandō Mitsugorō III [坂東三津五郎], a.k.a. Bandô Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirô II, Bandô Mitahachi I, Bandô Minosuke I, Bandô Mitahachi (Japanese, 1775 – 1831) I as Miki Jūzaemon [三木十左衛門] – left. Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō V [松本幸四郎], a.k.a. Ichikawa Komazô III; Ichikawa Sumizô I (Japanese, 1764 – 1838) as Akabori Mizuemon [あかぼり水右衛門] – right. Reference images:
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Artist: Utagawa Kuniyasu [歌川 国安] (Japanese, 1794–1832). Publisher seal: [太] (Ta): Marks 02-050 | U421b: An unknown publisher in Edo, fl. c. 1815-61; name assigned according to seal shape “Yama-Ta“. Signed: Kuniyasu ga [国安 画]. Date-aratame seal: Bunsei 9 (1826). Actors: Iwai Hanshirō VI [岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1799 – 1836), other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Kumesaburō II, Iwai Hisajirō I, Baiga (poetry name), Shūka (poetry name) — as Shirai Gonpachi [白井權八]. Ichikawa Danjūrō VII 市川団十郎 (Japanese, 1791 – 1859), other names: Ichikawa Ebizō V, Ichikawa Hakuen II, Ichikawa Shinnosuke I — as Banzui Chōbei [幡随長兵衛]. Kabuki play: Suzugamori [Suzu-ga-Mori, 鈴ヶ森], a.k.a. Ukiyozuka Hiyoku no Inazuma written by Tsuruya Nanboku IV (Japanese, c. 1755 – 1829). First staged in 1823 at Ichimura-za [市村座] in Edo. Plot: "A gang of evil palanquin bearers are stationed near the Suzugamori execution grounds, where they lay in wait to rob travellers passing through. Gonpachi, who killed a man in his home province, is being sought by the police. He is fleeing to Edo when the bearers attack him in hopes of claiming a reward. He beats them off with great skill. Banzui Chōbei, who is being carried by in a palanquin, sees the attack, admires Gonpachi's ability, and promises to aid him if he is going to Edo". [Samuel L. Leiter. Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre. — Rowman & Littlefield, 2014; p. 382-3.; LIB-2110.2019]. Ref.: Sotheby's. -
Artist: Utagawa Sadahide [歌川 貞秀], a.k.a. Gountei Sadahide [五雲亭 貞秀] (1807 – c. 1878/9). Signed: Gountei Sadahide ga [五雲亭貞秀画] Pubisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, 1815 – 1869) Date-aratame seal: Bunsei 13 / Tenpō 1 (1830). Ref: Ritsumeikan University # Z0172-587. Title: Tangled Hair and the Evening Braided Hat [乱髪夜編笠] (Midaregami Yoru no Amigasa). The open book starts with the chapter title that reads Amigasa. This play was performed together with Kisohajime Hatsugai Soga [着衣始]初買曽我]. See the playbill for the performance at Moritaza at MFA (Boston) № 11.27208. 乱髪夜編笠（みだれがみよるのあみがさ。「夜の編笠」「白さぎ」とも）– one of the main melodies in katōbushi (河東節) type of jōruri [浄瑠璃]. For a detailed explanation in Japanese, see also HERE). A series of three prints is dedicated to a katōbushi performance of the Soga-themed plays.
They all have a background of hail patterns (Arare-ko-mon) [霰小紋], similar to Kunisada’s Iwai Kumesaburō II as An no Heibei [SVJP-0304.2019], see below.Yukari no Edo-zakura The tatami night robe of Iwao Tangled Hair and the Evening Braided Hat 
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Artist: Utagawa Sadahide [歌川 貞秀], a.k.a. Gountei Sadahide [五雲亭 貞秀] (1807 – c. 1878/9). Signed: Gountei Sadahide ga [五雲亭貞秀画] Pubisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, 1815 – 1869) Date-aratame seal: Bunsei 13 / Tenpō 1 (1830). Ref: Ritsumeikan University # Z0172-587. Title: The tatami night robe of Iwao [巌の畳夜着] (Kyusue Iwao no tatami yogi); 灸すゑ巌の畳夜着（きゅうすえいわおのたたみよぎ。「灸すえ」– one of the main melodies in katōbushi (河東節) type of jōruri [浄瑠璃]. For a detailed explanation in Japanese, see also HERE). The night robe of Iwao is decorated with characters resembling Arabic numerals, and Latin and Cyrillic letters. A similar kimono can be seen on Kunisada's print Hotoke Gozen, Mirror of Virtuous and Wise Women (Kenjo Kagami) at RISD museum accession number 13.1383, portraying Hotoke Gozen (佛御前), a character of The Tale of the Heike [平家物語] (Heike Monogatari); published by Yamamotoya Heikichi (山本屋平吉) (Japanese, fl. c. 1812 – 1886) in the 1830s (see below).A series of three prints is dedicated to a katōbushi performance of the Soga-themed plays.
RISDM 13-1383
They all have a background of hail patterns (Arare-ko-mon) [霰小紋], similar to Kunisada’s Iwai Kumesaburō II as An no Heibei [SVJP-0304.2019], see below.Yukari no Edo-zakura The tatami night robe of Iwao Tangled Hair and the Evening Braided Hat
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825) Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]. Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (c. 1776 – November 1862); Marks 02-041 | 156a Date-Aratame Seal: 1819 (Bunsei 2, 文政二年) Media: Print (Yakusha-e, 役者絵); 221 x 253 mmActor: Ichikawa Danjūrō VII [七代目市川團十郎] (Japanese, 1791–1859); Other names: Ichikawa Ebizō V (五代目市川海老蔵), Ichikawa Hakuen II (二代目市川白猿), Ichikawa Shinnosuke I (初代市川新之助).
Role: Yushima no Sankichi (ゆしまの三吉) Play: Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome (梅柳若葉加賀染) Theater: Tamagawa-za (玉川座), Edo, May 1819 Bust-length, three-quarter-view portrait of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Yushima no Sankichi, in the play Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome, staged at Tamagawa-za in May 1819. The actor is depicted with his arms crossed over his chest, holding a pipe (kiseru, 煙管) in his right hand. The upper half of the background features a giant golden carp (鯉, koi), symbolizing Boys' Day (Tango no Sekku) (端午の節句), celebrated on May 5th each year. This print forms a pair with the portrait of Kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojō V as Kurenaiya Okan [SVJP-0440.2025], but no conclusive information is available regarding the relationship between their characters.
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825) Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]. Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (c. 1776 – November 1862); Marks 02-041 | 156a Date-Aratame Seal: 1819 (Bunsei 2, 文政二年) Media: Print (Yakusha-e, 役者絵); 221 × 253 mm Play: Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome (梅柳若葉加賀染) Theater: Tamagawa-za (玉川座), Edo, May 1819 Role: Kurenaiya Okan (紅屋おかん) Actor: Segawa Kikunojō V [瀬川菊之丞] (Japanese, 1802–1832); Other name: Segawa Tamon I (瀬川多聞初代) Bust-length, three-quarter-view portrait of Segawa Kikunojō V as Kurenaiya Okan in the play Ume Yanagi Wakaba no Kagazome, staged at Tamagawa-za in May 1819. The male actor Segawa Kikunojō V performs an onnagata role, portraying a courtesan. She is depicted adjusting her elaborate shimadamage-style coiffure, fixing a kanzashi (簪, hairpin) while holding onkotogami (御懲紙, tissue paper) in her mouth. The onkotogami was traditionally used for intimate hygiene, suggesting that the scene represents a moment after encountering a client. Her inner kimono is safflower-dyed and has a hemp leaf pattern (麻の葉, asa no ha). The top half of the background features a giant golden carp (鯉, koi), a recurring motif in this pair of prints often associated with strength, perseverance, and kabuki’s aragoto style. This print forms a pair with the portrait of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Yushima no Sankichi [SVJP-0439.2025], but no conclusive information is available regarding the relationship between their characters. The carp also alludes to Boys' Day (Tango no Sekku, 端午の節句), celebrated on May 5th each year. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni I [初代豊国] (Japanese, 1769–1825)
Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国画]
Publisher: Kojimaya Jūbei [小嶋屋重兵衛] (Japanese, c. 1797–1869); seal [十]; Marks 06-014 | 264a
Date-Aratame Seal: 1822 (Bunsei 5, 文政五年)
Media: Print (Uchiwa-e, うちわ絵, fan print); 223 × 250 mm
Actor: Onoe Kikugorō III [三代目 尾上菊五郎] (Japanese, 1784–1849); other names: Onoe Baikō III (尾上梅幸), Ōkawa Hashizō I (大川橋蔵初代), Onoe Matsusuke II (二代目尾上松助), Onoe Eizaburō I (初代尾上栄三郎)
Half-length, three-quarter-view portrait of Onoe Kikugorō III, depicted without stage makeup. The actor wears a kimono patterned with plum blossoms (梅, ume), symbolising perseverance and longevity. A neck scarf with a 格子 (kōshi) pattern is visible, and he holds a folding fan (扇, ōgi) decorated with chrysanthemums (菊, kiku).
Above his head is the Onoe family crest (mon), embracing oak leaves on layered fans. This emblem, known as the crest of the Otowaya line, commemorates a shogunal gift of rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves, placed on a fan, and presented to Onoe Kikugorō I.
The background features a radiating red-line pattern, possibly representing the bamboo structure of an uchiwa fan. The absence of kumadori (歌舞伎隈取, kabuki makeup) suggests that the actor is not portrayed in a specific role.
In 1822, Onoe Kikugorō III performed at Kawarazaki-za before month 11 and at Ichimura-za and Nakamura-za afterwards.
The print has been backed for preservation with a sheet of paper featuring calligraphy, likely contemporary to the print itself. The backing paper appears to have been repurposed, a common historical practice in the Edo period, where discarded documents or manuscripts were reused to reinforce delicate prints.
Kunisada portrayed the same actor in 1815 as Rokusaburō, the Carpenter (Daiku Rokusaburō).
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NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni II [歌川豊国二代] a.k.a. Toyoshige [豊重] (Japanese, (1777 – 1835) Signed: 豊国狂筆 (Toyokuni kyō-hitsu, "mad brush of Toyokuni") Publisher: Maru-Jū (丸重), seal Jū (重), Marks reference 08-079 | U190a (1826–1829, only on fan prints) Censor Seal: Kiwame + Bunsei 12 (Year of the Ox [丑], 1829) Media: Uchiwa-e (fan print), color woodblock print, 230 × 293 mmA fantastical kabuki-themed scene depicting three anthropomorphic bats, dressed in Edo-period costumes. The central figure, likely Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (市川團十郎七, 1791–1859), is distinguished by his costume featuring a gourd motif (瓢箪, hyōtan)—a symbol closely linked to the Ichikawa family. He wears two swords, further identifying him as a kabuki hero, and carries a sake flask marked with what appears to be the publisher's emblem. His raised arm (or wing?) suggests a dramatic action, possibly striking or threatening the bat figure on the left, who recoils in response.
The two side bats, also dressed in patterned kimono, display expressions contrasting with the central figure—one appearing startled, while the other remains cheerful. The oxidized lead-orange pigment used in the lower portions of their wings suggests depth and texture.
This print reflects Danjūrō VII’s association with both the bat (蝙蝠, kōmori) and the double gourd. Bats were considered lucky symbols due to their resemblance to the character of "good fortune" (福, fuku), and Danjūrō VII often incorporated bat motifs into his stage costumes. The Ichikawa family's crest, the mimasu (三升, "three squares"), was more commonly used, but the double gourd and bat imagery appeared in promotional materials, reinforcing his theatrical identity. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni II [歌川豊国二代] a.k.a. Toyoshige [豊重] (Japanese, (1777 – 1835) Signed: 豊国狂筆 (Toyokuni kyō-hitsu, "mad brush of Toyokuni") Publisher: Maru-Jū (丸重), seal Jū (重), Marks reference 08-079 | U190a (1826–1829, only on fan prints) Censor Seal: Kiwame + Bunsei 12, Year of the Ox (丑), 1829 Media: Uchiwa-e (fan print), color woodblock print, 231 x 297 mm Provenance: Nelkin Collection Full-body, frontal view of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII, abstractly depicted as a bat, with only his head, topknot, and white collar emerging from the upper centre of a voluminous, stylized red cloak. The cloak is sharply angular and wing-shaped, evoking a bat in flight, while also suggesting the kanji character 市 (ichi) — the first character of Ichikawa (市川) — making the figure a visual pun on the actor’s name. The cloak is rendered in a saturated reddish-brown colour known as shū-iro (赭色) or tan-red, a bold and dramatic hue traditionally associated with the Shibaraku role. This distinctive costume — known as the sugata no iro (姿の色) — was used to signal heroic power, dominance, and theatrical presence. The white stripes across the cloak allude to the Ichikawa family crest (三升, mitsumasu) — three nested rice-measuring boxes — an emblem long associated with the Danjūrō lineage. Tucked at the waist and partially emerging from beneath the cloak is a massive stylized sword — a visual exaggeration of the ōdachi (大太刀) worn in the Shibaraku role. Such a sword is not functional but a key prop in aragoto-style performance, symbolizing exaggerated strength and heroic resolve. Danjūrō’s face is adorned with the iconic kumadori (隈取) makeup — deep red lines accentuating his brow and cheeks — a hallmark of aragoto roles and especially of Shibaraku, where the protagonist enters with a thunderous call and righteous fury. To the upper right is the signature 豊国狂筆 (Toyokuni kyō-hitsu) – "the mad brush of Toyokuni", used here by Utagawa Toyokuni II. The kiwame (極) censorship seal and a date seal appear in the lower right. To the left is a vertical kyōka poem, followed by the actor’s name and a red double gourd (ひさご, hisago) — another signature emblem of Danjūrō VII. This print is not a literal depiction of a scene from Shibaraku but a bold emblematic portrait, condensing multiple aspects of Danjūrō VII’s iconic identity: his name, crest, theatrical role, and stage persona — all rendered in a single symbolic form. -
NEWArtist: Utagawa Toyokuni II [歌川豊国二代] a.k.a. Toyoshige [豊重] (Japanese, (1777 – 1835) Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊國画) Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c.1815–1869); seal: san (三) in circle. Additional publisher red stamp in the form of a double gourd. Date and Censor Seal: 1830 / Aratame seal (改) plus (tora, 寅) = Year of the Tiger, Bunsei 13 (文政十三年) Media: Uchiwa-e (fan print), color woodblock print, 227 x 267 mm Actor: Iwai Kumesaburō II [岩井粂三郎] (Japanese, 1799 – 1836); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Hisajirō I, Baiga (poetry name), Shūka (poetry name). Role: Osono (おその), wife of Amakawaya Gihei (天川屋義平) Play: Kanadehon Chūshingura, performed at Ichimura-za in the 4th lunar month of 1830This uchiwa-e (団扇絵) depicts Iwai Kumesaburō II (岩井粂三郎) as Nyōbō Osono (女房おその), the wife of Amakawaya Gihei (天川屋義平), in Act 10 of Kanadehon Chūshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵). Osono is shown in a half-length portrait, three-quarter view, turned to her left. Behind her, an arrow (矢, ya) has pierced a target (的, mato) in the bullseye. In her hand, she holds a severed lock of her own hair. She wears a green-spotted kimono patterned with white plum blossoms (梅, ume), with a red under-kimono featuring a blue lattice-decorated collar (襟, eri). Her hair is adorned with a gilt comb (櫛, kushi) and hairpins (簪, kanzashi).
In Act 10, Gihei (義平), recognizing that the rōnin’s attack on Moronao is imminent, sends Osono (おその) back to her parents, an act equivalent to divorcing her. Since a divorced woman would typically be remarried by her family, Ōboshi Yuranosuke (大星由良之助) orders Ōwashi Bungo (大鷲文吾) to cut her hair, ensuring that this does not happen, leaving her unmarriageable and still tied to her husband during their separation. "Once we finish our business of killing the enemy, you can celebrate your reunion," said Ōboshi Yuranosuke.
A red slip of paper (短冊, tanzaku) with the actor’s name and role is placed near the upper right.
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Hardcover volume, 8vo, 200 x 140 mm, bound in light blue cloth with vignette to front, cream printed label and lettering to flat spine; pictorial dust jacket, black lettering to spine, publisher’s device to back, and black lettering to flaps. Print-run 5,000 copies. Faux frontispieces, binding, and dust jacket designed by Н. В. Кузьмин. Collation: 1-388 394, i.e. 308 leaves plus 12 plates extraneous to collation, incl. frontispiece portrait of the author [1-7] 8-611 [5], errata slip tipped in. Title-page (blue and black): АЛЬФРЕД ДЕ МЮССЕ | ТЕАТР | Перевод, вступительная | статья и комментарии | А. В. Федорова | ACADEMIA | 1934 || Contre-title (blue and black): ФРАНЦУЗСКАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА | Под общей редакцией | А. М. Эфроса | АЛЬФРЕД ДЕ МЮССЕ | (1810 – 1857) | СОЧИНЕНИЯ | ACADEMIA | Москва – Ленинград || Title verso: ALFRED DE MUSSET | THÉÂTRE | Фронтисписы титулов, | переплет и супер-обложка | Н. В. Кузьмина || Catalogue Raisonné: Крылов-Кичатова 653 (p. 250). Contents: Венецианская ночь, или Свадьба Лауретты; Андреа дель Сарто; Фантазио; Любовью не шутят; Лоренцаччо; Подсвечник; Не надо биться об заклад; Молча за дело; Всего не предусмотришь; Беттина (пер. Е. Геркена) Contributors: Musset, Alfred de (French, 1810–1857) – author Фёдоров, Андрей Венедиктович (Russian, 1906 – 1997) – translator Геркен, Евгений Георгиевич (Russian, 1886 – 1962) – translator Кузьмин, Николай Васильевич (Russian, 1890 – 1987) – artist Эфрос, Абрам Маркович (Russian-Jewish, 1888 – 1954) – editor
