Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

1786-1865

Sawamura Tossho I as Sadato, Ichikawa Ebizo V as Muneto, and Sawamura Tossho I as Sodeogi

each sheet signed Gototei Kunisada ga, with censor's seal kiwame, publisher's seal Hon, Edo, Sen'ichi (Izumiya Ichibei of Kansendo), ca. 1839

oban tate-e triptych 14 7/8 by 29 7/8 in., 37.8 by 76 cm

The actor Sawamura Tossho I (Suketakaya Takasuke III, 1802-1853) in the role of Sadato stands at right holding a plum blossom branch towards the actor Ichikawa Ebizo V (Danjuro VII, 1791-1859) in the role of Muneto struggling while restrained by a large rope, and Tossho I is seen again in the female role of Sodeogi holding a shamisen while gesturing with her left hand turned down from her wrist like a paw in a manner mimicking a fox. The scene is set outside on a snowy night from the play, Yoshitsune Senbon-zakura staged at the Kawarazaki Theater in the 9th lunar month of 1839.

References:
The Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) Project, (kunisda.de), kabuki plays from 1839
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession no. 11.4347a-c

(inv. no. 10-5380)

price: $1,600