Utagawa Kunisada
Japanese, 1786-1864
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.
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