Vengeance at Denka Tea House

(Denka chaya adauchi, 殿下茶屋仇討七)

Publisher: Yamamoto-ya Heikichi (山本屋平吉)

1854

This series shows scenes from the kabuki play on the theme of revenge Kaikei Tengajaya-Mura. Like most successful kabuki plays written in an era without copyright laws, the play was performed in different theaters with various titles. These prints depict the play as it was staged at the Kawarasakiza Theater in the 5^th month of 1854. Actor Ôtani Tomoemon IV played the roles of Adachi Motoemon and Kyo-ya Mansuke, actor Arashi Rikan III portrayed Hayase Iori and Hangyoku Koemon, actor Bandô Takesaburô I portrayed Hayase Genjiro, actor Bandô Shuka I played Somonoi, actor Ichikawa Gonjuro played Hasue, and actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV portrayed Tôma Saburôemon and Adachi Yasuke. This series is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The prints are each about 10 by 14 inches (25 by 36 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

Act: 1

Description:

Act: 2

Description: Tôma Saburôemon waits in the dark for Hayase Genban on his way home

Act: 3

Description:

Act: 4

Description: From left to right: the actors Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Adachi Yasuke being held back by Arashi Rikan III as Hayase Iori; the helmeted figure of Tôma Saburôemon, played by Ichikawa Kodanji IV; Ôtani Tomoemon IV as Adachi Motoemon being beaten by Hayase Genjiro, played by Bandô Takesaburô I; all are watched by Bandô Shuka I as Somenoi, the wife of Iori.

Act: 5

Description: Scene with actors as Hayase Iori, Adachi Motoemon, Adachi Yasuke and Iori Genjiro

Act: 6

Description:

Act: 7

Description: From left to right: the actors Ôtani Tomoemon IV as Kyo-ya Mansuke, Bandô Takesaburô I as Hayase Geniro in the water, Asao Kunigoro as the servant Wansuke being pitched into the river from a bridge by Arashi Rikan III as Hangyoko Koemon

Act: 8

Description: Ningyo-ya Koemon standing behind Kyo-ya Mansuke

Act: 9

Description: From left to right: the actors Bandô Takesaburô I as Hayase Genjiro watching Arashi Rikan III as Hangyoku Koemon tying up Ôtani Tomoemon IV as Adachi Motoemon, who is attacked with swords by Bandô Shuka I in a female role as Somonoi and Ichikawa Gonjuro as her younger sister Hasue

Act: 10

Description: From left to right: the actors Arashi Rikan III as Hangyoku Koemon defending himself against spear attacks, and Bandô Takesaburô I as Hayase Genjiro attacking Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Tôma Saburôemon in a sword fight.

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