Dressing Room Scenes at the Dotonbori Theatres in Osaka thumbnail 1
Not on display

Dressing Room Scenes at the Dotonbori Theatres in Osaka

Woodblock Print
1821-1822 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is the left hand sheet of a triptych by Kunisada (1786-1864) depicting the interiors of the Kado-za and Naka-za kabuki theatres in the Dotonbori district of Osaka. A large group of kabuki actors (all kabuki actors are male) from Edo (present-day Tokyo) performed in Osaka in 1821 and 1822. Kunisada travelled to Osaka at the time and designed prints like this to be sold in Edo. This work is particularly valuable for the information it provides on backstage arrangements and the structures of Osaka theatres, which were relatively simple two-storey affairs, unlike the more elaborate buildings found in Edo.

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleDressing Room Scenes at the Dotonbori Theatres in Osaka (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Woodblock print on paper
Brief description
Woodblock print, sheet of triptych 'Dressing Room Scenes at the Dotonbori Theatres in Osaka' by Utagawa Kunisada I (1786-1864), Japan, 1821-1822
Physical description
This work (one part of a triptych) provides valuable information on the actors backstage and the structure of theatres in Osaka, which were relatively simple two-storied buildings, unlike those in Edo.
Oban size. Signature: Gototei Kunisada ga. Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi. Censorship seal: kiwame
Dimensions
  • Height: 35.7cm
  • Width: 71.8cm
Taken from register
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 is the left hand sheet of a triptych by Kunisada (1786-1864) depicting the interiors of the Kado-za and Naka-za kabuki theatres in the Dotonbori district of Osaka. A large group of kabuki actors (all kabuki actors are male) from Edo (present-day Tokyo) performed in Osaka in 1821 and 1822. Kunisada travelled to Osaka at the time and designed prints like this to be sold in Edo. This work is particularly valuable for the information it provides on backstage arrangements and the structures of Osaka theatres, which were relatively simple two-storey affairs, unlike the more elaborate buildings found in Edo.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
E.5995-1886

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 8, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest