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The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji I as Akiyama Kii no kami, from the series New Plays of the Meijiza Theater: The Conflagration

The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji I as Akiyama Kii no kami, from the series New Plays of the Meijiza Theater: The Conflagration

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Toyohara Kunichika

In this print, the actor Ichikawa Sadanji I is surrounded by flames in a climactic scene from the historical play "The Koshu War Strategy and the Takeda Clan Preparing for Battle." He performed the role in 1894 at the Meijiza Theater. Sadanji I and his son had assumed management of the theater the year before. This series of prints commemorated new plays performed at the renamed theater, often starring Sadanji I in the lead roles. Sadanji is at the center of the composition. With his back against a wall of flames, the performer poses with arms outstretched and a sword in one hand in a dramatic portrayal of 'seppuku,' or ritual suicide.
Artist
Toyohara Kunichika
(Japanese, 1835 - 1900)
Title
The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji I as Akiyama Kii no kami, from the series New Plays of the Meijiza Theater: The Conflagration
Date
1894
Medium
Color woodcut
Dimensions
359 x 712 mm Overall
Credit
John H. Van Vleck Endowment Fund purchase
Accession No.
2004.42a-c
Classification
Prints
Geography
Japan

Related

  • Mueller, Laura. "Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School." Leiden, The Netherlands: Hotei Publishing, 2007. p. 207, no. 199
  • Hitachi, Ltd. "Ukiyoe" [calendar]. Japan: Hitachi, Ltd., 2009. October
  • Barba, Eugenio. "On Directing and Dramaturgy: Burning the House." Abington: Routledge, 2010 cover
  • Chazen Museum of Art. "Bulletin 2003-2007." Madison: Chazen Museum of Art, 2010. cover

  • Japanese Masterworks: Woodblock Prints from the Chazen Museum of Art Collection: Chazen Museum of Art, 5/6/2016–8/14/2016
  • Utagawa: Masters of the Japanese Print, 1770-1900 : Chazen Museum of Art, 3/21/2008–6/15/2008
  • Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School: Chazen Museum of Art, 11/3/2007–1/6/2008

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