Ichikawa Kodanji as Seppu Shinsuke, Ichikawa Sadanji as Kishino Toshiaki, Ichikawa Danjūrō as Saijō Takamori, Onoe Kikugorō as Kurata Shinpachirō, Nakamura Chūtarō as Shōtarō, Onoe Kikunosuke as Magoichi, and Ichikawa Kōsaku as Tokumaru in the play Okige no kumo harau asa gochi

March, 1878

Not on view

This triptych illustrates a new type of play in the Meiji period, historical dramas (katsureki), which were promoted by Danjuro IX and which took their inspiration from recent events. Illustrated here is the Seinan rebellion against the Meiji government, which occurred in 1877. In this play, Danjuro, in the center, plays Saijo Takamori, a thinly disguised version of Saigo Takamori, who was the leader of the actual rebellion. Kunichika's use of a bright color for the background reflects the intensity of battle.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

「摂府真助」「市川子團次」「岸野年秋　市川左團次」「西条高盛　市川團十郎」「倉田進八郎尾上菊五郎」「正太郎中村仲太郎」「孫市尾上菊之介」「徳丸市川幸作」西南雲晴朝東風
Title: Ichikawa Kodanji as Seppu Shinsuke, Ichikawa Sadanji as Kishino Toshiaki, Ichikawa Danjūrō as Saijō Takamori, Onoe Kikugorō as Kurata Shinpachirō, Nakamura Chūtarō as Shōtarō, Onoe Kikunosuke as Magoichi, and Ichikawa Kōsaku as Tokumaru in the play Okige no kumo harau asa gochi
Artist: Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: March, 1878
Culture: Japan
Medium: Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Each panel: 14 1/4 x 9 3/4 in. (36.2 x 24.8 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Lincoln Kirstein, 1959
Object Number: JP3256
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Toyohara Kunichika

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Ichikawa Danjūrō IX in the Role of the Monk Mongaku from the Play "Mongaku Kanjincho", Toyohara Kunichika Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — Ichikawa Danjūrō IX in the Role of the Monk Mongaku from the Play "Mongaku Kanjincho"
Toyohara Kunichika
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Board game of the Flower Stage (Hanabutai atari sugoroku), Toyohara Kunichika Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Board game of the Flower Stage (Hanabutai atari sugoroku)
Toyohara Kunichika
1883

Modern Genji – Firefly Viewing (Imayō genji shiken hotaru asobi), Toyohara Kunichika Japanese, Central sheet of a triptych; woodblock print, ink and color on paper, Japan — Modern Genji – Firefly Viewing (Imayō genji shiken hotaru asobi)
Toyohara Kunichika
1861

Kobushō Kasei from the Series Thirty-Six Restaurants In New Tokyo, Toyohara Kunichika Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Kobushō Kasei from the Series Thirty-Six Restaurants In New Tokyo
Toyohara Kunichika
late 19th century

Two Beauties at Spring Garden with a Pond, Toyohara Kunichika Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Beauties at Spring Garden with a Pond
Toyohara Kunichika
ca. 2nd month, 1864

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