Allusion to the Character Okina thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Allusion to the Character Okina

Woodblock Print
1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This uchiwa-e, or rigid fan print, design by Utagawa Kunisada I (1786-1864) is one of a set of three, the two other designs having been created by Hiroshige and Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1868). The 'Sanbaso Dance' of the series title was an Edo period (1615-1868) adaptation of Okina, one of the oldest works in the No theatrical repertory with origins in ritual dances dating back to the 10th century. In both its Bunraku puppet theatre and Kabuki theatre versions it was performed, as in the case of the No theatre, on celebratory occasions and always at the beginning of a cycle of plays. The pine tree backdrop is similar to what would have been used on the stage. The references to Okina, the character alluded to in this design, are the distinctive pattern of the woman's robe, the coat she is holding and the black cap in the lower corner of the cartouche.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Allusion to the Character Okina (popular title)
  • Parodies of the Sanbaso Dance (series title)
Materials and techniques
Colour print from woodblocks
Brief description
Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; Allusion to the Character Okina, from the series 'Parodies of the Sanbaso Dance'; fan print, Japanese, 1855
Physical description
Fan print, aiban size. Artist signature: Toyokuni ga. Publisher mark: Ibaya Senzaburo. Engraver mark: Hori Take. Censorship seal: aratame. Date seal: Hare 1 (1855/1).
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 220mm
  • Approx. width: 290mm
Style
Object history
Purchased from S. M. Franck & Co., accessioned in 1886. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Summary
This uchiwa-e, or rigid fan print, design by Utagawa Kunisada I (1786-1864) is one of a set of three, the two other designs having been created by Hiroshige and Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1868). The 'Sanbaso Dance' of the series title was an Edo period (1615-1868) adaptation of Okina, one of the oldest works in the No theatrical repertory with origins in ritual dances dating back to the 10th century. In both its Bunraku puppet theatre and Kabuki theatre versions it was performed, as in the case of the No theatre, on celebratory occasions and always at the beginning of a cycle of plays. The pine tree backdrop is similar to what would have been used on the stage. The references to Okina, the character alluded to in this design, are the distinctive pattern of the woman's robe, the coat she is holding and the black cap in the lower corner of the cartouche.
Collection
Accession number
E.12091-1886

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2004
Record URL
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