Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)

Nakamura Tsuruzō I [中村鶴蔵] as Sagisaka Bannai (鷺坂伴内) harassing the koshimoto Okaru (こし元おかる) performed by Iwai Kumesaburō III [岩井粂三郎] from the play "Kanadehon Chūshingura" ['Copybook of the Treasury of Loyal Retainers': 仮名手本忠臣蔵] - possible center panel of a triptych

Print

---

Date:05/03/1854
Dimensions:9.875 in x 13.875 in (Overall dimensions) Medium:Japanese woodblock print
Inscription:Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Publisher: Fujiokaya Keijirō
(Marks 063 - seal 26-104)
Censor's seal: aratame
Date seal: 5/1854
Links Waseda University
Tokyo Metropolitan Library
Waseda University - right-hand panel
National Diet Library Description:A koshimoto (腰元 or こし元) is a chambermaid or female servant.

In Act 3 of the "Kanadehon Chūshingura" Bannai plays a bit of a comic role. He lusts after Okaru and is determined to arrest Kanpei. This encounter takes place outside the castle walls at Kamakura. Okaru has lingered outside the walls after Kanpei and his lord Wakanosuke have gone in for an audience with Moronao, Bannai's lord. From within the doorway to the castle, Bannai yells to Kanpei that Wakanosuke to join him immediately. This is a ruse. Then Bannai goes out to be with Okaru. In a 1910 translation it says on pages 45-47:

"RECITATIVE. As Kanpei parts from Okaru and goes in , out comes Sagisaka Bannai with stealthy steps."

"BANNAI . What do you say , Okaru ? Deep is love's stratagem . As I saw you whispering with Kanpei, I called him away by pretending that his lord wanted him; was not that finely done? Lord Moronao says he has something to ask of you; as for me, I want.........O darling, darling."

"RECITATIVE. As he tries to embrace her, she pushes him away."

"Okaru. Come, don't be so improper. You serve in a house noted for etiquette, and you can be so boorish. How vulgar, how unmannerly of you!"

"BANNAI. That is too cruel."

"RECITATIVE. In the dark he makes several attempts to catch hold of her hand. Voices are heard."

"Voices. Master Bannai, Master Bannai! Lord Moronao wants you this minute. Master Bannai, Master Bannai!"

"RECITATIVE. Two servants come out and stare vacantly around."

"SERVANTS. Here you are, Master Bannai. Lord Moronao has long been asking for you. What, you, who serve in a house noted for etiquette, run after a woman! How vulgar, how unmannerly of you!"

"BANNAI. Hang it, they say the same thing as she did."

"RECITATIVE. He accompanies the servants with a sulky face; and immediately after Kanpei comes in."

"KANPEI. Did you see what I did? That fellow Bannai hoaxed me just now; and if I came and told him that he was wanted, he would have said, "Shut up, it is an old trick"; and so I gave drink to the servants and played the trick that he could not see through. Ha, ha. I had him there beautifully. Now that I got rid of him, come with me."
Related entities Fujiokaya Keijirō (藤岡屋慶次郎) (publisher)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Chūshingura (忠臣蔵 - 47 rōnin) (genre)
Iwai Kumesaburō III (三代目岩井粂三郎: from 11/1832 to 1/1864) (actor)
Nakamura Tsuruzō I (初代中村鶴蔵: 11/1818 to 8/1865) (actor)

---