• Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (市川團十郎) as Yorikane (頼兼実ハ道鉄) - right panel of a diptych
Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (市川團十郎) as Yorikane (頼兼実ハ道鉄) - right panel of a diptych
Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (市川團十郎) as Yorikane (頼兼実ハ道鉄) - right panel of a diptych

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

Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (市川團十郎) as Yorikane (頼兼実ハ道鉄) - right panel of a diptych

Print


ca 1825 – 1830
9.3 in x 14.25 in (Overall dimensions)

Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga
五渡亭国貞画
Publisher: Iwatoya Kisaburō (Marks 173 - seal 23-018)
Censor's seal: kiwame
National Diet Library - right panel of a diptych - go to #23
National Diet Library - left panel of a diptych - go to #24 This print represents a scene from the play Date kurabe Okuni kabuki (伊達競阿国戯場).

****

The green part of Danjūrō's costume show his crest, the mimasu, the three nested rice measures. Another one of his crests also shows up: the peony flower. His role as Yorikane is indicated by his discarded dark outer kimono with stylized sparrows flying among bamboo.

****

The Takao/Yorikane plays were actually loosely based on true historical events "...related to the succession disputes within the Date clan in Sendai in the 1660s. The legitimacy of the daimyo Date Tsunamune and his heirs was challenged when it was disclosed that Tsunamune was enamored of the famous courtesan Takao II of the Great Miura bordello (the legend that inspired the kabuki play was a colorful mix of fact and fiction)."

Quoted from: "Wild Boars and Dirty Rats: Kyōka Surimono Celebrating Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Arajishi Otokonosuke" by John T. Carpenter, Impressions, no. 28, 2006-2007, p. 47.
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Iwatoya Kisaburō (岩戸屋喜三郎) (publisher)
Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (七代目市川團十郎: 11/1800 to 2/1832) (actor)
Ashikaga Yorikane (足利頼兼) (role)