Nakamura Utaemon III as Kyogoku Takumi
Woodblock Print
1825 (made)
1825 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Although Edo (later renamed Tokyo) was the centre of ukiyo-e printmaking, Osaka also flourished, particularly in the first half of the 19th century, when artists such as Shunkosai Hokushu were active. This particular print portrays the actor Nakamura Utaemon III as the master swordsman Kyogoku Takumi, one of four roles he played in his farewell performance at the Kado-za Theatre in March 1825. The story relates how Kyogoku Takumi murders Yoshioka Ichimisai after the latter defeats him in a test of swordsmanship, and how Yoshioka's daughter Osono sets out to avenge her father's death. Utaemon gave this farewell performance because he was ill. He recovered, however, and resumed his theatrical career until 1838.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Colour woodblock print |
Brief description | Japanese print by Shunkosai Hokushu: The Kabuki actor Nakamura Utaemon III in the role of a samurai, from the series Famous Roles of Utaemon, 1825 |
Physical description | Portrait of Nakamura Utaemon III in the role of a samurai; he played four roles in his farewell performance at the Kado-za Theatre in March 1925. In this series Hokushu made prints of all four roles. Nakamura Utaemon as the master swordsman Kyogoku Takumi murders Yoshioka Ichimisai after the latter defeats him in a test of swordsmanship. Eventually Yoshioka's daughter Osono is able to avenge her father's death. Oban size. Signature: Shunkosai Hokushu ga. Seal: Hokushu. Publisher: Yugendo |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Thomas H. Lee Bequest |
Summary | Although Edo (later renamed Tokyo) was the centre of ukiyo-e printmaking, Osaka also flourished, particularly in the first half of the 19th century, when artists such as Shunkosai Hokushu were active. This particular print portrays the actor Nakamura Utaemon III as the master swordsman Kyogoku Takumi, one of four roles he played in his farewell performance at the Kado-za Theatre in March 1825. The story relates how Kyogoku Takumi murders Yoshioka Ichimisai after the latter defeats him in a test of swordsmanship, and how Yoshioka's daughter Osono sets out to avenge her father's death. Utaemon gave this farewell performance because he was ill. He recovered, however, and resumed his theatrical career until 1838. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.1321-1922 |
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Record created | December 3, 2002 |
Record URL |
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