The Actor Arashi Koroku IV in the Final Farewell Performance of His Career (Shōgai onagori kyōgen) as the Female Bandit Hotei Oichi

Shunkōsai Hokushū 春好斎北洲 Japanese

Not on view

This print seems to have unintentionally turned out to be memorial portrait of Arashi Koroku IV (1783–1826), commemorating a farewell performance that never happened. The actor is shown here defiantly posed as the female bandit Hotei Oichi with the shakuhachi bamboo flute, pipe (kiseru), and cloth purse associated with such roles. The accompanying headnote and verse by the actor’s wife expresses how distraught she is by the unexpected passing of her husband.

The Actor Arashi Koroku IV in the Final Farewell Performance of His Career (Shōgai onagori kyōgen) as the Female Bandit Hotei Oichi, Shunkōsai Hokushū 春好斎北洲 (Japanese, active 1808–32), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban, Japan

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