Utagawa Yoshitaki (歌川芳滝) (artist 1841 – 1899)
Ichikawa Danjūrō IX (?) probably as Tenjiku Tokubei wearing a robe decorated with toads
Painting
1870s
8.25 in x 10.875 in (Overall dimensions) Painting in gouache and watercolor in ink
Lyon Collection - Toyokuni III triptych on the theme of Tenjiku Tokubei
Lyon Collection - Toyokuni III of Tokubei on an origami toad
Attributed to Utagawa Yoshitaki. This painting is a depiction of Ichikawa Danjūrō in the role of a villain with a large wig and a kimono with toads. This may be a role from the kabuki drama "Jiraiya" and represents the evil toad wizard. This painting is in gofun pigments on Japanese mulberry paper, with black lacquer on the armor and silver on the neck area. The toad pattern is particularly skillful, with the purple shadows of the frogs alternating with brown and white toads.
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)
Jiraiya (自来也) (role)
Tenjiku Tokubei (天竺徳兵衛) (role)
Tsuruya Nanboku IV (四代目鶴屋南北) (author)