Shunkosai Hokushu (active circa 1810-32)
The actors Nakamura Matsue III in the role of Otaka, Ichikawa Ebijuro I as Mokuemon, and Ichikawa Danzo V as Yashichi, 1824, 3rd month
Woodblock print, surimono on deluxe paper, embellished with metallic pigments and embossing
Vertical oban, diptych (each sheet):
39.2 x 26.3 cm.
15 3/8 x 10 3/8 in.
39.2 x 26.3 cm.
15 3/8 x 10 3/8 in.
Signed: Shunkosai Hokushu (on each sheet)
Artist's seal: Hokushu
Privately published, March 1824
Artist's seal: Hokushu
Privately published, March 1824
£ 2,800.00
An oban diptych printed in surimono style with actors performing in the play Gishinden Yomikiri Koshaku, one of the numerous adaptations of the play Kanadehon Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal...
An oban diptych printed in surimono style with actors performing in the play Gishinden Yomikiri Koshaku, one of the numerous adaptations of the play Kanadehon Chushingura (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), performed at the Kado theatre, Osaka, in March 1824. Poems are written above the actors which are signed by the artists Kunihiro, Umekuni and Nobukatsu (using the secondary name Tessai), as well as the printer and the great Osaka engraver Kasuke.
In the play, Otaka (standing on the right wearing a sumptuous kimono) is the concubine of the villain Ko no Moronao, but her true love is Yashichi (standing far left). Eventually Otaka kills herself out of shame while riding in a palanquin.
This a fine impression of the early deluxe printing. A later, commercial edition was produced with the names of the actors replacing the poetry.
Other impressions:
(Privately printed edition): The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.26637-8, go to:
MFA, Hokushu diptych, deluxe edition
(Commercial edition): The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.35461-2, go to:
MFA, Hokushu diptych, commercial edition
In the play, Otaka (standing on the right wearing a sumptuous kimono) is the concubine of the villain Ko no Moronao, but her true love is Yashichi (standing far left). Eventually Otaka kills herself out of shame while riding in a palanquin.
This a fine impression of the early deluxe printing. A later, commercial edition was produced with the names of the actors replacing the poetry.
Other impressions:
(Privately printed edition): The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.26637-8, go to:
MFA, Hokushu diptych, deluxe edition
(Commercial edition): The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.35461-2, go to:
MFA, Hokushu diptych, commercial edition
1
of
3