Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

1786-1865

Parody of the Root of Yanone Goro
(Mitate-e nemoto Yanone Goro)

each sheet signed Gototei Kunisada ga, with censor's kiwame seal and publisher's seal Ue, Sakamotocho, Kawaguchi han (Kawaguchiya Uhei of Fukusendo), ca. 1838-41

oban tate-e triptych 14 7/8 by 30 in., 37.8 by 76.1 cm

Ichikawa Ebizo V (Danjuro VII, 1791-1859) is featured in the center sheet in a mitate-e (usually defined as a parody, but in this case, perhaps a more nuanced translation would be 'imagined') of the iconic role of Soga Goro. He is flanked by two leading onnagata (actor specializing in female roles), Onoe Kikujiro II (1814-1875) on the right holding a blue and white cup decorated with a prawn ('ebi' for Ebizo); and Iwai Shijaku (Hanshiro VII, 1804-1845) on the left,, holding the long handle of a candle that illuminates the fantastical costume of Soga Goro. The onnagata are dressed in matching garb, combining traditional samurai hakama (pants) and kamishimo (vest) decorated with Ebizo's mimasumon ('3 rice measures' crest) over thier furisode ('swinging sleeve') kimono appropriate for teenage girls.

Reference: Tokyo Metropolitan Library, nos. 41-015, 01-03

(inv. no. 10-5377)

price: $2,200