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: Tadanobu and Shizuka Gozen in Yoshitsune senbon zakura

Description: Unidentified actor as Ono no Komachi and Sekibei in Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Sekinoto

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.

Description: Actors probably as Shirafuji Genta and Oshun

Description: Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as Kanpei and an unidentified actor as Okaru in Dôchû Tabiji no Hanamuko

I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state with brown replacing purple.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this unidentified image.

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this unidentified image.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN PAGE