Natori Shunsen

1886-1960

Creative Prints, Collected Portraits of Shunsen: Kataoka Nizaoemon XI as Kyudanme Kakogawa Honzo
(Sosaku hanga Shunsen Nigao-e Shu: Kataoka Nizaoemon XI)

profile of an actor against a dark grey mica ground; signed Kajichosai Shunsen ga, with artist's seal Shun, publisher's seal Watanabe ko (Watanabe Shozaburo) at lower right, and artist's approval seal Natori at lower left, ca. 1925

dai oban tate-e 15 3/4 by 10 5/8 in., 40 by 27 cm

The actor is in the role of Honzo, a retainer to the daimyo Wakasanosuke, from the popular play, Kanadehon Chushingura (The Story of the Loyal Retainers). At this point in the play, Honzo is disguised as komuso (traveling monk), identified by his dark outer-robe, flute (shakuhachi- in the foreground) and the deep woven hat (tengai- in the background) which would obscure his face when worn.

References:
Yamaguchi Keizoro, Natori Shunsen (exhibition catalogue), Kushigata, 1991, no. 16
Heroes of the Kabuki Stage, Hotei Publishing, 2004, p. 191, pl. 16.16
Fresh Impressions: Early Modern Japanese Prints, Toledo Museum of Art, 2013, p. 184, cat. 142

This print is promised for loan to the Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, Massachusetts) to supplement their upcoming January 2008 exhibition featuring recently rediscovered kabuki woodblock prints from their own collection. The print will be available following the completion of the show in June 2008.

price: Sold