Unity of Three Happinesses, Favorite Actors Before a White Waterfall, Actors Kawarazaki Gonjûrô as Takaramusubi no Gon (R), Ichimura Hazaemon XIII as Tachibana Hishizô (C), and Nakamura Shikan IV as Sanba Jafuku (L),

Unity of Three Happinesses, Favorite Actors Before a White Waterfall, Actors Kawarazaki Gonjûrô as Takaramusubi no Gon (R), Ichimura Hazaemon XIII as Tachibana Hishizô (C), and Nakamura Shikan IV as Sanba Jafuku (L),

On View

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Toyohara Kunichika

This triptych shares the title of a kabuki drama performed in 1863 at Ichimuraza Theater. The three actors in designated roles, from right to left, are: Kawarazaki Gonjuro (Ichikawa Danjuro IX) in the role of Takaramusubi no Gon; Nakamura Shikan IV in the role of Sanba Jafuku; and Ichimura Hazaemon XIII (Onoe Kikugoro V) in the role of Tachibana Hishizo. The performance was a type of variety show highlighting the popularity of three notable actors. The names of the characters were thinly disguised puns on the actors’ stage names. Each actor is shown with distinct body tattoos, posing in front of a stylized waterfall. The tattoo on Nakamura Shikan IV at the center depicts a scene from the tale of Princess Tamatori and the Dragon King, which bears a striking resemblance to Kuniyoshi’s celebrated triptych design of this popular theme.
Artist
Toyohara Kunichika
(Japanese, 1835 - 1900)
Title
Unity of Three Happinesses, Favorite Actors Before a White Waterfall, Actors Kawarazaki Gonjûrô as Takaramusubi no Gon (R), Ichimura Hazaemon XIII as Tachibana Hishizô (C), and Nakamura Shikan IV as Sanba Jafuku (L),
Date
1863
Medium
Color woodcut
Dimensions
360 x 745 mm Image
Credit
John H. Van Vleck Endowment Fund purchase
Accession No.
2004.56a-c
Classification
Prints
Geography
Japan

Related

  • Mueller, Laura. "Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School." Leiden, The Netherlands: Hotei Publishing, 2007. p. 204, no. 194
  • Chazen Museum of Art. "Bulletin 2003-2007." Madison: Chazen Museum of Art, 2010. p. 65

  • 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, 11/2/2009–11/26/2009
  • Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School: Chazen Museum of Art, 11/3/2007–1/6/2008

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