Title : Ichikawa Raizo II as Sukeroku

Artist : Katsukawa Shunsho

Date : 1769

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : Ichikawa Raizo II appears in the role of Sukeroku in the Nakamura-za Theater production of “Soga Moyö Aigö no Wakamatsu” presented in Meiwa 6 (1769), the fifth month. Sukeroku was in reality Soga no Gorö, who, in the disguise of a gallant townsman, sought to recover a precious sword that had been stolen from his stepfather. In due course, Sukeroku finds the sword in the possession of Hige no Ikyü, lover of Agemaki, the famous beauty, who, in the meantime, has renounced her lover in favor of Sukeroku. Ikyü is finally slain by Sukeroku, who recovered the lost weapon. Agemaki is one of the great heroines of Edo-period Japan, and Sukeroku is one of the three most famous otokodate (chivalrous men), who were viewed as champions of the people. (from “Capturing Actor’s Spirit / Shunshö” exhibition 1/15/2009-)

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