Title : Actor Ichikawa Yaozö II as Soga-no-Gorö Tokimune

Artist : Katsukawa Shunsho

Date : 1770

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : According to James A. Michener: “No artist, regardless of the field in which he worked or the nation from which he came, ever had a clearer understanding of what he wanted to accomplish than Katsukawa Shunshö, who designed actor prints.” Most of Shunshö's prints were done in the same hosoban (narrow picture) format, which measures about 30 x 15 cm, and is slightly narrower than the regular chüban format (28 x 20 cm). Prints such as this one of a Kabuki actor (as seen in this print) produce a pleasing upright panel housing a single figure. Michener praised him in the following way: Shunshö is excellent at placing a figure “in the exact spot on the paper where it will be most effective.” The actor Ichikawa Yaozö II as Soga no Gorö Tokimune (An Officer of Kitsunetsuri), is depicted in this fine print by Katasukawa Shunshö. The print documents Yaozö's performance in the kaomise play, “Kagamiga Ike Omokage Soga.” The Tales of the Soga Brothers, the source of endless Kabuki plots (some historians suggest as many as 300 plays have been spawned from this one story) is based on an actual event of the early Kamakura period (12th century). The story concerns the Soga brothers, Jürö Sukenenari (1172-93) and Gorö Tokimune (1174-93), and their various attempts to revenge the death of their father at the hands of the villainous Kudö Suketsune. The brothers finally carry out their vendetta in Kudö's camp at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Other protagonists that figure in the varied and complex plots that have developed around this historical legend are Jürö's lover, the courtesan Tora-gozen, Gorö's sweetheart, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shöshö, and a relative, the heroic Asahina. (from “Capturing Actor’s Spirit / Shunshö” exhibition 1/15/2009-)

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