Utagawa Toyokuni I (初代歌川豊国) (artist 1769 – 02/24/1825)
Matsumoto Kōshirō V (松本幸四郎) and Arashi Sampachi I (嵐三八)
ca 1796
10.25 in x 15.25 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
There is no publisher's seal.
Rare early actor duo against a grey background. The actors Arashi Sampachi I in a sumo role with Matsumoto Kōshirō V (1764-1838) [aka "Big Nose"] who is attempting to throw his opponent. Because of the way he is dressed with a large braided rope motif the character portrayed by Kōshirō is probably Nuregami Chōgorō.
Nuregami (濡髪) can be translated as 'wet hair' or 'freshly washed hair' Chōgorō.
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This print was first posted online on September 22, 2012. It is now late February, 2025 and we have yet to find another copy of it either online or printed in a book or other publication. That is not to say that there aren't other copies of it out there either in museum collections, whether they be in the West or the East, or that there isn't an illustration of it anywhere in a library or magazine, but so far we have not found one.
While this print in the Lyon Collection, which by and large is in good condition with strong colors, may not be the only example known, as of now its uniqueness and rarity set it apart from the vast majority of other prints known that are by any of a multitude of artist. If you, the reader, know otherwise please contact us and we will amend our comments accordingly.
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Matsumoto Kōshirō V (五代目松本幸四郎: 11/1801 to 5/1838) (actor)
Arashi Sampachi I (初代嵐三八: from 11/1782 to 10/1795 and again from 11/1797 to 2/1812) (actor)
sumō (相撲) (genre)