Scene from a Kabuki Play, ca. 1842
Published by Yamatoya Heikichi (Eikyudo)
With kiwame seal of censor

Nishiki-e (color woodblock print)
Oban format
Signed: Toyokumi III

Museum Collection

In a night-time snow scene, a man and a woman struggle passionately over a sword wrapped in straw. Snow-scenes in Japanese prints often have supernatural or at least highly dramatic connotations. Swords - like cherry blossoms or chrysanthemums - often have spiritual significance. Violence and spiritual purity or the struggle for purity may exist in the same desperate scene. Male actors called onnagata played female roles (though Kabuki was invented by a woman, who wore swords in her belt and danced and sang!). Here, the onnagata is Bando Mitsugoro V or VI, from a famous acting family. Bando Mitsugoro V was of great personal beauty.