Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)
Iwai Shijaku I (岩井紫若) as the koshimoto Chidori (the chambermaid Chidori - 腰元千鳥) from Act II, The Disinheriting of Genta (Genta kando - 源太勘当) from the play Hiragana seisuiki (ひらがな盛衰記)
11/1842
10 in x 14.75 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Kōchōrō Kunisada ga
香蝶楼国貞画
Publisher: Yamamotoya Heikichi
(Marks #595 - seal #04-007)
Censor's seal: kiwame
British Museum - dated 1840
Waseda University - dated to 1842 Kunisada's teacher, Toyokuni I, had done a representation of this female role as early as 1809. Many, other artists, including Ashiyuki, Hirosada, Kunimitsu and Kuniyoshi, also created images of her.
Hiragana seisuiki was originally written by three authors for the puppet theater and was composed of five acts. Only two survive today and are still being performed. Its first staging was in 1739, approximately 100 years before the production of this print. The play is loosely based on the 12th century rivalry between the Genji and Heike clans.
Mirroring the struggle between the two clans there is a rivalry between the brothers of one family which forms the focus of this act, the Genta kando. Genta, the dashing, handsome brother is off fighting the enemy while his evil, conniving younger brother Heiji stays at home plotting to usurp his brother's position. The beautiful Chidori plays the love interest. She loves Genta, while his brother Heiji lusts after her.
Things have not gone well in battle - or, at least, not according to plan - and Genta is ordered to return home to commit suicide. Genta sees his mother, Chidori and his younger brother. All is high drama with many twists and turns in the story. Enju, the mother, tries to convince her son not to kill himself. He says he must. In desperation she has his swords, armour and elegant clothes taken from him and replaced by those of an old servant. Heiji mocks his brother, Enju pretends to mock him too. This shame is greater than the original one and Genta weeps as his mother orders her disgraced son to go back to the battle and to earn his respect back. Chidori scold Enju for what she believes is the mother's cruelty.
Heiji grabs Chidori and says that now she is his. Chidori rebukes his advances so Heiji tells his mother that Chidori was Genta's lover and that she has shamed their household. More drama. Eventually Genta, with his recovered armor, and Chidori leave for the front together with the subtle blessing and help of Enju.
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The British Museum dates this print to 1840 while Waseda University says it dates from 11/1842.
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The poem at the top is signed and sealed 'Shijaku'.
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Iwai Shijaku I (初代岩井紫若: 11/1822-2/1844) (actor)
Yamamotoya Heikichi (山本屋平吉) (publisher)