Utagawa Sadamasu (歌川貞升) (artist )
Kataoka Ichizō I (片岡市蔵) as Tetsugatake Dazaemon (鉄ヶだけ) in the play Sekitori sen ryō nobori (関取千両幟) at Ōnishi Theater
08/1839
10.375 in x 15.25 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Gochōtei Sadamasu
五蝶亭貞升画
Publisher: Honya Seishichi
(Marks 123 - seal 25-527)
Waseda University
Lyon Collection - another copy of this print
Royal Museums of Art and History, Belgium (via Cultural Japan) Some background and the plot of the play:
"The play Sekitori senryô nobori (Rise of the 1,000 ryô wrestler: 関取千両幟) was written in nine acts by Chikamatsu Hanji (1725-83) and others for the ningyô jôruri (puppet theater: 人形淨瑠璃), premiering in 8/1767 at the Takemoto Theater, Osaka. The first kabuki performance in Osaka may have been in 8/1775 at the Kado Theater. Two patrons of rival wrestlers attempt to raise money to ransom a beautiful courtesan, Nishikigi of the Osakaya, so they wager on a match between their wrestlers. Tetsugadake Dazaemon, fearing he will lose, asks Iwagawa Jirokichi to throw the match in exchange for his help in raising the money for Iwagawa’s patron. As this would guarantee the rescue of Nishikigi, Iwagawa agrees. His wife Otowa learns of the plot, however, and cannot accept that her husband would ruin his reputation for his patron. She therefore raises the money in secret by the only means available — selling herself to a brothel. As the wrestling match is about to begin, Iwagawa is told that an anonymous source has provided the money. He is therefore free to compete unfettered, defeat his opponent, and capture his ranking. After his victory, he is shocked to learn that the donor was his wife Otowa."
This information is taken directly from Osaka Prints.
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There is another Sadamasu print, a portrait, of Kataoka Ichizō I as Tetsugatake Dazaemon. It dates from 8/1839 and is illustrated in Ikeda Bunko, Kamigata yakusha-e shūsei (Collected Kamigata Actor Prints), vol. 3, Ikeda Bunko Library, Osaka, 2001, #121.
Illustrated in Utagawa Sadamasu: Distinguished Osaka Print Artist by Jan van Doesburg, page 77, 2012.
Honya Seishichi (本屋清七) (publisher)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Kataoka Ichizō I (初代片岡市蔵: from 1810 to 10/1858 and again 10/1859 to 5/1862) (actor)
sumō (相撲) (genre)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)