Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the Eight Views

(Mitate saiku yakusha hakkei, 見立細工役者八景)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya

c. 1834

 

In eleventh century China, eight views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers developed as a formalized series of landscape paintings. They represented views of the rivers and wetlands around Lake Dongting. The same eight views–autumn moon, lingering snow, evening glow, vesper bells, returning boats, clearing weather, night rain and homing geese–are likened to performances by kabuki actors in this series of prints.  The series is listed as number 167 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).  The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

 

c

 

Actor: Bandô Mitsugorô IV as Kinokuniya

Play:

Description: Actor standing with fan under full moon

View: Autumn moon

 

 

Another state of the above design

 

Actor: Sawamura Tosshô I

Play:

Description: Actor in the snow

View: Lingering snow (Kinokuniya bosetsu, 紀伊国屋 暮雪)

 

 

Play:

Description: Actor in female role standing in a small boat

View: Evening glow

 

g

 

Play:

Description: Ichikawa Ebizô V as Kinokuniya Gengorô with a fishing pole

View: Vesper bells

 

 

Another state of the above design

Kuniyoshi - Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the 8 Views (R167), actor as Owariya, Returning sails

 

Actor: Seki Sanjûrô II as Owariya

Play:

Description: Actor standing by stream with sails in background

View: Returning sails to Owariya (尾張屋帰帆)

 

Kuniyoshi - Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the 8 Views (R167), Clearing Weather at Daiko-ya (Daiko-ya seiran), actor Iwai Hanshiro VI in a female role holding a cricket cage

 

Play:

Description: Iwai Shijaku I in a female role holding a cricket cage View: Clearing weather at Yamatoya (Yamatoya seiran, 大和屋晴嵐)

 

Kuniyoshi - Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the 8 Views (R167), Clearing Weather at Daiko-ya (Daiko-ya seiran), actor Iwai Hanshiro VI in a female role holding a cricket cage (blue)

 

Another state of the above design

b

 

Play:

Description: Standing actor in rain holding closed umbrella 

View: Night rain

 

d

 

Play:

Description: Actor seated on a mat with food and drink before him

View: Homing geese

 

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