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The Actor Arashi Kitsusaburō I (Kichisaburō II) as Prince Koretaka

1821
Not on view
The renowned Osaka actor Kitsusaburō I (best known as Rikan I, 1769–1821) is shown as Prince Koretaka, whose character was based on an actual member of the late ninth-century Heian court, but who was always represented more heroically in Kabuki plays. Grandly posed on a raised mat, he leans on a black lacquer armrest topped with a tiger pelt and decorated with tachibana (mandarin orange) patterns, referring to the actor’s newly acquired crest.
The hokku (17-syllable verse), by the actor himself, refers to the character’s retirement in Ono Village, near Mount Hiei:

Sakura chiru
Ono ni minori no
wakaba kana

As cherry blossoms scatter
at Ono, new leaves will appear,
just as Buddha teaches.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 初代嵐橘三郎　（二代目嵐吉三郎）　の惟高親王
  • Title: The Actor Arashi Kitsusaburō I (Kichisaburō II) as Prince Koretaka
  • Artist: Shunkōsai Hokushū (Japanese, active 1808–32)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 1821
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
  • Dimensions: Image: 26 x 13 1/2 in. (66 x 34.3 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 58 1/2 x 17 1/8 in. (148.6 x 43.5 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Miki and Sebastian Izzard, in honor of James C. Y. Watt, 2011
  • Object Number: 2011.525
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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