• Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as Tōzō the Farmer, in reality Sasaki Takatsuna (佐々木高綱) - <i>Hyakushō Tōzō jitsu wa Sasaki Takatsuna, Nakamura Utaemon</i> (百姓藤三実ハ佐々木高綱: 中村歌右衛門) in <i>Kamakura Sandaiki</i> or <i>Three Generations of Kamakura Shoguns</i> [鏡倉三代記] - in the form of a <i>hagoita</i>
Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as Tōzō the Farmer, in reality Sasaki Takatsuna (佐々木高綱) - <i>Hyakushō Tōzō jitsu wa Sasaki Takatsuna, Nakamura Utaemon</i> (百姓藤三実ハ佐々木高綱: 中村歌右衛門) in <i>Kamakura Sandaiki</i> or <i>Three Generations of Kamakura Shoguns</i> [鏡倉三代記] - in the form of a <i>hagoita</i>
Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as Tōzō the Farmer, in reality Sasaki Takatsuna (佐々木高綱) - <i>Hyakushō Tōzō jitsu wa Sasaki Takatsuna, Nakamura Utaemon</i> (百姓藤三実ハ佐々木高綱: 中村歌右衛門) in <i>Kamakura Sandaiki</i> or <i>Three Generations of Kamakura Shoguns</i> [鏡倉三代記] - in the form of a <i>hagoita</i>
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Saikōtei Shibakuni (西光亭芝国) (artist )

Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as Tōzō the Farmer, in reality Sasaki Takatsuna (佐々木高綱) - Hyakushō Tōzō jitsu wa Sasaki Takatsuna, Nakamura Utaemon (百姓藤三実ハ佐々木高綱: 中村歌右衛門) in Kamakura Sandaiki or Three Generations of Kamakura Shoguns [鏡倉三代記] - in the form of a hagoita

Print

11/1824
9.75 in x 14.5 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Saikōtei Shibakuni ga
西光亭芝国画
Publishers: Ariwaradō Chūbei (Marks 015 - seal 04-019)
and an unidentified publisher (Marks U502 - seal 30-20)
British Museum
Lyon Collection - Kuniyoshi triptych of the Battle of Uji River - notice the banner of Takatsuna with the four squares of his crest
Lyon Collection - Hokushū portrait of Takatsuna - notice the breastplate with the four squares of his mon Nakamura Utaemon III as Sasaki Takatsuna in the Kabuki play Kamakura Sandaiki (鏡倉三代記) performed at the Kado Theater in 11/1824. His portrait appears on a battledore or hagoita.

According to the Kodansha Encyclopedia Sasaki Takatsuna (佐々木 高綱: ? - 1214) came from a family destroyed by the Heiji Disturbances of 1159-60. However, his life was spared because of he was so young. In 1180 he joined the forces of Minamoto no Yoritomo to fight against the Taira clan. He saved Yoritomo's life at the Battle of Ishibashiyama. Takatsuna "...helped Minamoto no Yoshitsune in the final destruction of the Taira, and for his services he was made military governor... of Nagato Province... It is said that he relinquished his title and possessions to his son in 1195 and became a Shingon priest at Mt. Kyōka... The story of his race across the river Ujigawa with Kajiwara Kagesue (1162-1200) to be the first to engage in battle with the enemy in 1184 is a popular subject in war tales and paintings."

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Illustrated in color in 原色浮世絵大百科事典 (Genshoku Ukiyoe Daihyakka Jiten), vol. 9, p. 105.

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There are three prints and one photograph in the Lyon Collection that deal with the play Kamakura Sandaiki (鏡倉三代記). Two are Shibakuni battledore/actor Osaka prints, one shown here, and one is by Toyokuni I seen here.
Nakamura Utaemon III (三代目中村歌右衛門) (actor)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Wataya Kihei (綿屋喜兵衛) (publisher)
Ariwaradō Chūbei (有原堂忠兵衛) (publisher)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)