Joruri Plays Briefly Described

(Hitokuchi jôruri, 一口浄瑠璃)

Publisher: Enshû-ya Matabei

c. 1845

In this series of fan prints (uchiwa-e), each print references a joruri play, a traditional Japanese form of storytelling accompanied by music. The series is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The purported purpose of these prints, to describe a traditional form of musical theater, may have been used to circumvent the ban on actor prints imposed by the “Tenpô reforms”.

Description:

Description: Unidentified actor as Ono no Komachi, with actor as Sekibei inset

Description: Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII

Description: Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Kanpei

I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this unidentified image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this unidentified image.

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