Actor triptychs

1849, Part III

Actors: Left sheet: Nakamura Tsuruzô I as the packhorse driver (mago) Ganpachi (馬士ぐわん八) and Ichikawa Hirogorô I as the headman (shôya) Mokurobei (庄屋杢郎兵衛)

Right sheet: Sawamura Chojuro V as Ashikaga Shichiro Yoshitaka (足利三七郎よし高)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Actors: Left sheet: Iwai Kumesaburô III as Onnadate Kaminari no Otsuru (女達 雷のおつる) and Nakamura Tsuruzô I as the packhorse driver (mago) Ganpachi

Right sheet: Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Ashikaga Yoshitaka (足利よし高)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke

Actors: Matsumoto Kinshô I as Nikki Danjô Naonori (仁木弾正直則, left) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Arajishi Otokonosuke (荒獅〻男之助, right)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Kinugasa and Yoshimura)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Horimasa

NOTE: The woodblocks for the left sheet of this diptych were originally used for the production of Date kurabe Okuni kabuki in the 3^rd month of 1849. Nikki Danjô Naonori’s face and the mon on his clothing were recarved:

Two states of stand alone ôban prints showing Matsumoto Kinshô I as Nikki Danjô. These prints were printed, with some modifications, from woodblocks previously used for the production of Sendai-gashi Iro no Funakomi in 1847.

Actors: Onoe Baikô IV as Kii Tamagawa (紀伊玉川, right), Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Noji Tamagawa (野路玉川) and as Ide Tamagawa (井出玉川, center) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Tôi Tamagawa (梼衣玉川, left)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Ebi-ya Rinnosuke

I am grateful to Ward Pieters for locating this image

Print title: Loyalty and Filial Piety in the Time of the Hagi (Chûkô Sendai Hagi, 忠孝先代萩)

Actors: Onoe Baiko IV as the wet nurse Masaoka no tsubone (乳母政岡の局) and isshi (child) Senmatsu (一子 千松)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Iba-ya Sensaburô

I am grateful to Marc DeVriese for this image.

Diptych title: The Six Crystal Rivers, The Chôfu River (Mu Tamagawa no uchi, Chôfu, 六玉川の内 布調)

Actors: Onoe Baiko IV (left) and Sawamura Sôjûrô V (right)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Magome and Hama)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Norimasa

Title: Six Crystal Rivers, Cloth Bleaching (Mu Tamagawa no uchi fu sarashi, 六玉川の内 布さらし)

Actors: Onoe Baiko IV and Sawamura Sôjûrô V

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Magome and Hama)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Iba-ya Sensaburô

I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for the image.

Actors: Iwai Kumesaburô III as Takao (高尾, left) and Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Sakingo Yorikane (左金吾頼兼, right)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for the image and information.

Actors: Iwai Kumesaburô III as Matsugae (松ヶ枝, left) and Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Iwashi no Tsubone (岩士の局, right)

Play: Date zensei sakura no iromaku (伊達旭盛桜彩幕)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Mikawa-ya Rihei

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this sheet from another state of the above diptych.

Actors: Left sheet: Sawamura Chojûrô V as Saigyô the priest (西行法師)

Center sheet: Ichikawa Kuzô II as Kisô Yoshinaka (木曾よし仲) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Utsushie (うつしゑ)

Right sheet: Onoe Baiko IV as Ôsakayama (おふ坂山)　

Play: Fujimi Saigyô (富士見西行)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke

I am grateful to robert Pryor for this alternate state.

Actors: Left sheet: Sawamura Chojûrô V as Satô Norikiyo who becomes the monk Saigyô (Satô Norikiyo nyudô Saigyô, 佐藤則清入ど西行)

Right sheet: Ichikawa Kuzô II as Yoshinaka (よし仲) and Onoe Baikô IV as tayu Ôsakayama (あふ坂山)

Play: Fujimi Saigyô (富士見西行)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Sumiyoshi-ya Masagorô

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Iwai Kumesaburô III as Eawase (絵合, left), Sawamura Chojûrô V as the rich hunchback who is actually the monk Saigyô (せむし大尽実ハ西行法師, center), and Onoe Baiko IV as Ôsakayama (逢坂山, right)

Play: Fujimi Saigyô (富士見西行)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Maramatsu)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Daikoku-ya Heikichi

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Sawamura Chojurô V as Satô who became the monk Saigyô (Satô nyudô Saigyô, 佐藤入ど西行, left) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Utsushie (うつし絵, right)

Play: Fujimi Saigyô (富士見西行)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Actors: Iwai Kumesaburô III as Utsushie (うつし絵, left) and Sawamura Chojurô V as the rich hunchback who is actually Saigyô (semushi daijin jitsuwa Saigyô, せむし大ぢん実ハ西行, right)

Play: Fujimi Saigyô (富士見西行)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Nakamura

Publisher: Horimasa

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image and information.

Actors: Left sheet: Bandô Shuka I^† as Kôsuke who is actually Tanizawa Mondonosuke (幸助実ハ谷沢主水之助)

Right sheet: Nakamura Kantarô I as the servant (tedai) Hachibei (手代八兵衛) and Nakamura Utaemon IV as Torii Matasuke (鳥居又助)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Muramatsu and Yoshimura)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Enshû-ya Hikobei

NOTE: The title of this play, 恵閏初夏藤, may also be read as Megumi ni uruô Iwafuji. I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image.

Actors: Left sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as tsubone Iwafuji (つぼね岩ふぢ)

Center sheet: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as meshitsukai Ohatsu (召仕おはつ, standing)

Right sheet: Fujikawa Kayu III as churo Onoe (中老於の江, standing)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Muramatsu and Yoshimura)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Koga-ya Katsugorô

NOTE: This design was actually created by Kunisada for the production of Hatsu Sakura Onoe no Iwafuji in the 3^rd month of 1847:

The triptych was reissued with Kuniyoshi’s signature and numerous alterations for the production of Kamakura yamasakura no gosho zome (鎌倉山桜御所染) in the 3^rd month of 1848:

All three triptychs bear the seals of the censors Muramatsu and Yoshimura, which are appropriate for the earliest date. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for information about these triptychs.

Actors: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Torii Matasuke (鳥居又助) and Nakayama Bungorô II in an unidentified role

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Iba-ya Kyûbei

I am grateful to and Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Fujikawa Kayu III as churo Onoe (中老尾上, left) and Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Horimasa

Actors: Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤, right) and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Onoe’s maid (meshitsukai) Ohatsu (尾上召仕おはつ, left)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as the servant (meshitsukai) Hatsu, 召仕はつ, left), Fujikawa Kayu III as churo Onoe (中老尾上, center), and Nakamura Utaemon IV as Tsubone Iwafuji (つぼね岩藤, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Wakasa-ya Uhei

NOTE: The woodblocks for this triptych were originally used for the performance of Kamakura yamasakura no gosho zome in the 3^rd month of 1848, and partially recut. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Bandô Shuka I as Iwafuji’s meshitsukai (maid) Ochiyo (岩藤召仕おちよ, left), Nakamura Utaemon IV as the attendant (wakatô) Kihei (若党喜兵衛, center), and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Onoe’s maid (meshitsukai) Ohatsu (尾上召仕お初, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Actors: Left sheet: Bandô Shuka I as Iwafuji’s maid (meshitsukai) Ochiyo (岩藤召仕おちよ) and Nakamura Utaemon IV as the attendant (wakatô) Kihei (若党喜兵衛)

Right sheet: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Onoe’s meshitsukai (female servant) Ohatsu (尾上召仕おはつ)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke

I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for the image.

Actors: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Torii Hatasuke (鳥井畑助, left) and Seki Sanjûrô III as Ôtsuki Denzô (大槻伝蔵, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image and information.

Actors: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Tanizawa Mondo (谷沢主と, left), Nakamura Utaemon IV as Torii Matasuke (鳥井又助, center), and Seki Sanjûrô III as Mochizuki Genzô (望月源蔵, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Kazusa-ya Iwazô

NOTE: “Mondo” was a court position. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state with Ichimura Uzaemon XII identified by his poetry name, Ichimura Kakitsu (市村家橘).

Actors: Fujikawa Kayû III as churo Onoe (中老尾上) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as meshitsukai Ohatsu (召仕お初)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Muramatsu and Yoshimura)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Kawaguchi-ya Uhei

NOTE: The left sheet is from the performance of O megumi niuruo Iwafuji in the 4^th month of 1849. It was printed from recut woodblocks originally used for the performance of Kamakura yamasakura no gosho zome in the 3^rd month of 1848, on the right. I am grateful to Marc DeVriese for the image on the right.

Actors: Bandô Shuka I as meshitsukai Ochiyo (召仕於千代, left), Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤, center), and Seki Sanjûrô III as Mochizuki Genzô (望月源蔵, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Kawaguchi-ya Uhei

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Onoe’s maid (meshitsukai) Ohatsu (尾上召仕おはつ, left) and Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Ningyô-ya Takichi

Actors: Left sheet: Nakayama Bungorô II as Nakayama (中山) and Bandô Shuka I as meshitsukai Ochiyo (岩藤召仕おちよ)

Center sheet: Fujikawa Kayu III as churo Onoe (中老尾上)

Right sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Ebi-ya Rinnosuke

Actors: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Iwafuji’s maid (meshitsukai) Chiyo (岩藤召仕千代, left), Nakamura Utaemon IV as the attendant (wakatô) Kihei (若党喜兵衛, center), and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Tanizawa Tanomo (谷沢頼母, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Sano-ya Kihei

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image and information.

Actors: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Tanizawa Tanomo (谷沢頼母, left) and Bandô Shûka I as Ashikaga’s daughter Princess Itsuki (Ashikaga no sokujo Itsuki Hime, 足利の息女いつき姫, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Mera and Murata)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Horimasa

Actors: Bandô Shuka I as Iwafuji’s maid (meshitsukai) Ochiyo (岩藤召仕お千代, left), Fujikawa Kayu III as churo Onoe (中老尾上, center), and Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Ebisu-ya Shôshichi

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Nakamura Utaemon IV as the court lady (tsubone) Iwafuji (局岩藤, left) and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Tanizawa Tanomo-no-suke (谷沢頼母之助, right)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya bunsuke

I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image.

Actors: Left sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Matasuke (又助) and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as the moneylender (kanekashi) Ganroku (金かし翫六)

Right sheet: Bandô Shûka I as Tanizawa Shukinoshin (谷沢主木之進) and an unknown actor as Jûkyûmonya Sayo (dime store Sayo, 十九文や 小夜六)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke

I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for information about this diptych.

This print, with the roles removed from the red cartouches, was probably used for another production.

Actors: Bandô Shûka I^† as Kôsuke who is actually Tanizawa Mondonosuke (幸助実は谷沢主水之助), Seki Sanjûrô III or Nakamura Kan’emon I in an unidentified role, and a child actor of the Ichimura line as …uemon (…右衛門)

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Minato-ya Kohei

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Actors: Left sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Iwafuji and an unidentified actor dancing

Right sheet: Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Ohatsu and an unidentified actor standing

Play: O megumi niuruo Iwafuji (恵閏初夏藤)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Okaei

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

I am grateful to Rober Pryor for this alternate state withiut any green.

Diptych title: The Four Social Classes (shinôkôshô, 士農工商)

Actors: Left sheet: Seki Sanjûrô III as Sangai Matsunoshin (三蓋松之進) and Bandô Shuka I as Katsumi no Kohide (勝見の小秀)

Right sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Uraume Kozue (裏梅梢)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Enshû-ya Hikobei

NOTE: Shinôkôshô (士農工商) refers to the traditional four-tiered social class system in feudal Japan. The four classes were samurai (shi, 士), farmers (nô, 農), artisans (kô, 工) and merchants (shô, 商). The character names are playful references to the actors portraying them. I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state.

Actors: Left sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as an artisan (工) and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as a merchant (商)

Right sheet: Seki Sanjûrô III as a farmer (農) and Bandô Shûka I as a servant (侍)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Ningyô-ya Takichi

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Another state without bokashi (shading) in the foreground

Title: The Four Social Classes (Shinôkôshô no uchi, 士農工商の内)

Actors: Seki Sanjûrô III, Bandô Shûka I, and Nakamura Utaemon IV

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Ise-ya Sanjirô

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Title: The Four Social Classes (shinôkôshô no uchi, 士農工商之内)

Actors: Nakamura Utaemon IV as Uraume Kozue (裏梅梢), Seki Sanjûrô III as Sangai Matsunoshin (三蓋松之進), and Bandô Shuka I Bandô Shûka I as Katsumi no Kohide (勝見の小秀)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Ôta-ya Takichi

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Title: The Four Social Classes (Shinokosho no uchi, 士農工商乃うち)

Actors: Seki Sanjûrô III as Sangai Matsunoshin (三蓋松之進), Bandô Shuka I as Katsumi no Kohide (勝見の小秀), and Nakamura Utaemon IV as Uraume no Kozue (裏梅の梢)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Daikoku-ya Heikichi

Diptych title: The Four Social Classes (Shinôkôshô no uchi, 士農工商の内)

Actors: Left sheet: Seki Sanjûrô III as the farmer (tafu, 田夫) Sangai Matsunoshin (三蓋松之進, standing) and Nakamura Utaemon IV as the carpenter (mokushô, 木匠) Uraume Kozue (裏梅梢)

Right sheet: Bandô Shûka I as the samurai (shi, 士) Katsumi no Kohide (勝見の小秀)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Tama-ya Sôsuke

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

1849.4 in addition to the name cartouches 士 'shi'. 木匠 'bokushō' or 'mokushō' carpenter. 田夫'tafu' farmer.jpg,

Actors: Bandô Shûka I as a samurai (士, left), Nakamura Utaemon IV as Banze (番匠, center), and Seki Sanjûrô III as the farmer (農人, right)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher:

Actors: Seki Sanjûrô III performing a modern dance by Sangai Matsunoshin (imayô no maibito Sangai Matsunoshin, 今様の舞人三蓋松之進, left), Bandô Shuka I performing a modern dance by Katsumi O-hide (imayô no maibito Katsumi O-hide, 今様の舞人勝見小秀, center), and Nakamura Utaemon IV performing a modern dance by Uraume Kozue (imayô no maibito Uraume Kozue, 今様の舞人裏梅梢, right)

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Theater: Ichimura

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome)

Publisher: Hayashi-ya Shôgorô

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image and to Lucienne Parkan for information about the triptych.

Description: Actors having a vision of sparrows performing the sparrow dance (suzume odori, 雀踊り)

Left sheet: Seki Sanjûrô III (left) and Nakamura Fukusuke I

Right sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV

Play: Yomito uta Tosa-e no Irodori (四民歌土佐画彩)

Date: 4^th month of 1849 (censors Hama and Magome with shita-uri seal)

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher’s seals: Suruga-ya Sukujirô on left sheet and Shimizu-ya Tsunejirô on center sheet

Text: 立かへる歳またれけり冬玉梅　春心斎翁妓

I am grateful to Ward Pieters for locating this image

Actors: Onoe Kikujirô II as Okura (於かる, left) and Ichikawa Gangyoku I as Renma Takubei, actually (jitsu wa) Teraoka Heiemon (廉間宅兵衛実ハ寺岡平右エ門, right)

Play: Kanadehon Chûshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵)

Date: 4^th intercalated month of 1849* (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Kawarasaki

Publisher: Minato-ya Kohei

NOTE: The website of the Art Research Center, Ritsumeikan University associates this diptych with the performance of Kanadehon Chûshingura in the 4^th intercalated month of 1849. However, the website of the Museum of Fine Art, Boston associates this diptych with the performance of Kanadehon Chûshingura in 2^nd month of 1851.

Actors: Onoe Kikujirô II as Okaru (おかる, left), Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Hayano Kanpei (早の勘平, center), and Bandô Hikosaburô IV as Ichimonjiya Saihei (一もんじや才兵衛, right)

Play: Kanadehon Chûshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵)

Date: 4^th intercalated month of 1849* (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Kawarasaki

Publisher: Sasa-ya Matabei

NOTE: This triptych was printed from partially recarved woodblocks previously user for the performance of Chûshin meimei kikigaki zosho in the 6^th month of 1847. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image and information.

Triptych title: Kanadehon chûshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵)

Actors: Left sheet: Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Hayano Kanpei (早野勘平)

Center sheet: Onoe Kikujirô II as Okaru (おかる)

Right sheet: Bandô Hikosaburô IV as Fuwa Kazuemon (不破数右衛門) and Bandô Takesaburô I as Senzaki Yagorô (千崎弥五郎)

Play: Kanadehon Chûshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵)

Date: 4^th intercalated month of 1849* (censors Fuku and Muramatsu)

Theater: Kawarasaki

Publisher: Yamamoto-ya Heikichi

NOTE: The wood blocks for the left and center panels were originally used for the performance of Chûshin meimei kikigaki zosho in the 6^th month of 1847.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state of the above design.

Actors: Bandô Takesaburô I as Ôboshi Rikiya (大星力彌) and Ichikwa Gangyoku I as Ôboshi Yuranosuke (大星由良之助)

Play: Kanadehon Chûshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵), the teahouse scene in act VII

Date: 4^th intercalated month of 1849* (censors Hama and Magome)

Theater: Kawarasaki

Publisher: Horimasa

NOTE: The sheet on the left was made for the production of Kanadehon Chûshingura in the 4^th intercalated* month of 1845 with Ichikwa Gangyoku I as Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Bandô Takesaburô I as Ôboshi Rikiya. The sheet on the right, with recut faces, was made for the production of the same play in the 7^th month of 1849 with Iwai Kumesaburô III as Ôboshi Rikiya and Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Ôboshi Yuranosuke. I am grateful to Michel Ouellet, Lucienne Parkan, and Robert Pryor for the images and information.

* An extra month inserted between the 4^th and 5^th months in the same manner as an extra day is added to a leap year

^† The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has banzuke (theater programs) indicating that the part of Kôsuke was played by Ichimura Uzaemon XII, but the drawing of the actor’s face suggests Bandô Shûka I, who was also in the play in other roles.

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