Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Yaozō II, Nakajima Mihoemon II, Ichikawa Ebizō III, and Ichimura Uzaemon IX in the Play Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy (Sugawara denju tenarai kagami)

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章 Japanese

Not on view

This dramatic scene known as "Pulling the Carriage Apart" (Kuruma-biki), was performed at Ichimura Theater, in August 1776. Ichikawa Ebizo (Danjuro IV), seated on the ground in front of the cart at the right, acted as the character Matsuo-maru, one of three brother retainers. In the play the brothers, who serve different masters, experience conflict between loyalty to their family and loyalty to their lords.

This was Danjuro IV's retirement performance at the age of sixty-five. Shunshō indicated his age with wrinkles on his left cheek.

Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Yaozō II, Nakajima Mihoemon II, Ichikawa Ebizō III, and Ichimura Uzaemon IX in the Play Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy (Sugawara denju tenarai kagami), Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章 (Japanese, 1726–1792), One sheet of a triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan

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