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The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)

1849
Not on view
The play that inspired this triptych is loosely based on historical events that unfolded during the power struggle between two courtiers after the death of Emperor Yōmei in A.D. 587. Soga no Umako and Mononobe no Moriya (referred to in the play as Umako Daijin and Umaya Daijin respectively) clashed on who should succeed the deceased emperor. The violent quarrel resulted in Umako assassinating assassinating Moriya, with the intention of then replacing him with his own niece, Suiko, as empress. Concurring with historical fact, Empress Suiko’s brilliant nephew Prince Shōtoku was then appointed her regent.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 「馬子大臣」　四代三枡大五郎 ・「馬屋大臣」　五代目市川海老蔵 ・「聖徳太子」　実川延三郎
  • Title: The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)
  • Artist: Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞 (Japanese, active ca. 1819–63)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 1849
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, with metallic printing and embossing (karazuri); vertical chūban
  • Dimensions: Image (each): 9 7/8 × 20 1/8 in. (25.1 × 51.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2020
  • Object Number: 2020.306
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi), Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞 Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); vertical chūban, Japan
“One-Legged Umbrella Monster” (Kasa ippon ashi)
Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞
1857
The Actors Ichikawa Ebizō V as the Outlaw Nippon Daemon (right) and Kataoka Gadō as Tokushima Gohei, Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞 Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; horizontal chūban, Japan
The Actors Ichikawa Ebizō V as the Outlaw Nippon Daemon (right) and Kataoka Gadō as Tokushima Gohei
Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞
1849
Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) , Katsushika Hokusai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1830–32
Six Jewel Rivers from Various Provinces, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Six woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan
Six Jewel Rivers from Various Provinces
Utagawa Hiroshige
1857
Six Jewel Rivers , Sakai Ōho Japanese, Six handscrolls; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan

Six Jewel Rivers

Sakai Ōho
ca. 1839

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