Fabrics Dyed to Order

(Gochûmon on-atsurae zome, 御註文御誂染)

Publisher: Ogawa Hansuke

1846

 

This series of kabuki actor prints can be dated to 1846, because of the seal of the censor Murata.  It is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).  The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimetres), a size known as ôban.  I am grateful to Robert Pryor for his contributions to this series.

 

 

 

Actor as the barefoot Oshichi (お七) wearing an elaborately dyed robe, biting a handkerchief and holding a tablet inscribed with the characters for “pine, bamboo, and plum”

 

Actor as Kichizô (吉三)

 

 

Another state of the above design

 

Actor Bandô Shûka I as Kuzunohahime (くずのはぎつね) in Kuzu no ha

 

Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Banzui Chobei (幡隨長兵衛)

 

 

Another state of the above design

 

Actor as Seigen (清玄) 

 

 

 

“Robinson” refers to listing of the series in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). 

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