A Collection of Jôruri Plays

(Jôruri zukushi, 浄瑠理尽)

c. 1834-1835

 

A jôruri play is a dramatic performance chanted to the accompaniment of the samisen.  The images below are Kuniyoshi’s original drawings for a series that was never published as woodblock prints.  The drawings are each about 10 by 14 inches (25 by 36 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

 

Title: The Shared Grave at Meguro (Meguro hiyoku-zuka, 比翼塚)

Description:

Title: Vendetta of a Samurai in Rags

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Title: Heike Nyogo-ga-shima (平家女護嶋)

Description: The priest Shunkan in exile watches a departing ship

Title: Hana no Ueno Homare no Ishibumi (花上野誉石碑)

Description: Otsuji and Bôtarô in the play Hana no Ueno Homare no Ishibumi

Title: Genpei Nunobiki no Taki (源平布引滝)

Description: Woman swimming with the banner of the Genji in her mouth toward the boat of Taira no Munemori at Nunobiki Falls

Title: The Thousand Cherry Trees of Yoshitsune (Yoshitsune Senbon-zakura, 義経千本桜)

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