Accession Number
2003/1.417.3

Title
Iruma Mansion Kabuki Picture Book: Bandō Hikosaburō V as Lady Onoe and Onoe Kikugorō V as Palace Maid Hatsu

Artist(s)
Toyohara Kunichika

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1874

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
14 3/8 in x 10 1/4 in (36.5 cm x 26 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James Hayes

Subject matter
This play was only performed in 1874, and very little is known about it.  

Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XIII also held the name Onoe Kikugorō V. He was born to a family of kabuki actors in Edo in 1844. He was active from the time he was a child, in 1848, until shortly before his death in 1903. He was known for his roles in contemporary plays and was the head of the Nakamura-za in 1869.

Actor Bandō Hikosaburō V was born in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1832. He was active from 1842 until his death in 1877. He was known for his skill at playing all roles and was particularly notable for his performances of budōgoto (martial arts), villains, and onnagata (“female form” or “female role”). He was considered to be the best actor in the three cities, Edo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

Physical Description
Two women face forward, the one in front looking up at the one behind her. The woman in the front is dressed in layers of elegant robes in white, red, and purple with orange crests. The woman behind her wears several layers of different colors. Her outer robe is orange and yellow plaid. An elaborate purple robe with large flowers and Chinese characters hangs behind them on a gold and black frame. The background is bright red.

This is the right panel of a triptych (with 2003/1.417.1 and 2003/1.417.2).

Inscriptions: Toyohara Kunichika hitsu (Artist's signature)

 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If 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
actors (performing artists)
kabuki
kimonos
maids (servants)
theater (discipline)