Untitled series of Chûshingura diptychs
Publisher: Enshû-ya Hikobei
1849
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This
series of diptychs illustrates a performance of the kabuki play Kanadehon
Chûshingura at the Nakamura-za Theater in the 7th month of
1849. The actors were:
The series probably only consists of the first five acts. The
series is not listed in Kuniyoshi
by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The two individual sheets of each diptych
are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban. |
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Act: 1, Identifying
the Helmet (Kabuto aratame) Description: Ko no
Moronaô, the Imperial envoy Momoi Wakasanosuke and Lady Kaoyo-gozen
at the Hachiman Shrine Actors: Bandô
Mitsugorô IV as Ko no Moronaô (R), Sawamura Sôjûrô
V as Momoi Wakasanosuke and Iwai Kumesaburô |
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Act: 2, scene 2 Cutting
the Pine (Matsukiri) Description: Actors: Ichikawa Kuzô II as Kakogawa Honzô (加古川本蔵, left) and
Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Momoi Wakasa Nosuke (桃井若狭之助, right) I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image. |
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Act: 3, scene 3, At
the Rear Gate (Uramon) Description: Actors: Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Hayano Kanpei
(right) and Onoe Baikô IV as Okaru (left) |
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Act: 4, scene 3, Vacating
the Castle (Shiro akewatashi) Description: Ôboshi Yuranosuke
outside the castle by night, holding the dirk with which his lord had
performed seppuku Actors: Iwai
Kumesaburô |
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Act: 5, scene 2, Two
Bullets (Futatsudama) Description: Hayano Kanpei shooting Ono Sadakurô Actors: Ichikawa Kuzô
II as Ono Sadakurô (right) and Sawamura Chôjûrô V as Hayano Kanpei (left) |
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This diptych is from a different play, but resembles the above
series
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: 4th
month of 1849 Theater: Ichimura Publisher: Ningyô-ya
Takichi |
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