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)
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.
This was Danjuro IV's retirement performance at the age of sixty-five. Shunshō indicated his age with wrinkles on his left cheek.
Artwork Details
- 二代目市川八百藏・二代目中島三甫右衛門・三代目市川海老藏・九代目市村羽左衛門
- Title: 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)
- Artist: Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章 (Japanese, 1726–1792)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 7th month, 1776
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: One sheet of a triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Overall: 12 5/8 x 17 7/16 in. (32.1 x 44.3 cm); Image: 12 3/4 x 5 7/8 in. (32.4 x 14.9 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1918
- Object Number: JP352
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
7th month, 1776
Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
ca. 1771
Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
third month of 1780
Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
1769
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