Accession Number2003/1.473.2
TitleFirst Snowfall on the Lovers' Journey to His Hometown: Bandō Kōsaburō IV as Magoemon
Artist(s)Utagawa KunisadaArtist NationalityJapanese (culture or style)Object Creation Date1854Medium & Supportwoodblock print on paperDimensions 14 1/2 in x 9 9/16 in (36.8 cm x 24.3 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. James HayesSubject matterThe Lovers’ Journey stories are based off of the puppy-play
Meido no hikyaku, known as
Courier for Hell, by Chikamatsu Monzaemon. It is the story of the lovers Chūbei, a courier, and Umegawa,
a courtesan from the Shinmachi entertainment district. Chūbei uses his customers’ money to pay off Umegawa’s debt, and the two run away to his home town to escape punishment. There they die in the mountains. Often, the kabuki play took on a different scenery and title depending on the season in which it was performed.
Physical DescriptionThe man in the front wears a blue robe with brown stoles. He carries a red umbrella in both hands. Behind and above him are two men wearing blue stoles over black robes. Both men hold instruments.
This is a ccenter piece of a triptych (with 2003/1.473.1 and 2003/1.473.3).
Inscriptions: Magoemon; Toyokuni ga (Artist's siganture); hori take (Carver's seal); Kichi, Isekane (Publisher's seal); aratame, tora 9 (Censor's seals)
Primary Object ClassificationPrintCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
actors
kabuki
men (male humans)
musicians
stages (performance spaces)
theater (discipline)
umbrellas