Utagawa Kunihiro (歌川国広) (artist )
Nakamura Utaemon III (三代目中村歌右衛門) as Hangaku-jo (半がく女) in Wada gassen onna maizuru
01/1823
10 in x 14.75 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese color woodblock print
Signed: Kunihiro ga (国廣画)
Internet searches and books write this as 国広
Publishers: Tenmaya Kihei (Marks 536)
and Yamaichi (Marks U438 - seal 02-036)
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - 1770 Shunshō print
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - 1852 Toyokuni III diptych
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - 1850 Hirosada diptych This print commemorates a performance at the Kado Theater in Osaka in 1/1823.
"Background"
"Written by Namiki Sōsuke and premiering in 3/1736 as a ningyō jōruri (puppet play: 人形淨瑠璃), Wada gassen onna maizuru (The battles of Wada and a woman's crane dance: 和田合戦女舞鶴) is a reworking of the hero Asahina's legendary gate smashing during a dispute between Wada Tsunemori (Asahina's father) and Hōjō Yoshitoki. Sharing some of its plot with Chikamatsu Monzaemon's Egara no heita (1692), the play is a prime example of onna budō (female samurai: 女武道). Hangaku is the wife of a shogun retainer named Asari Yoichi and the mother of Ichiwakamaru. Due to complicated intrigues against the shogun and family disputes over alliances with opposing interests, they are barred from the Fujisawa mansion. Events force Yoichi to divorce Hangaku, who in her rage uses her skills in the martial arts and exceptional strength to tear down the mansion gate (Hangaku kado yasburi or "Hangaku's gate smashing"), using her naginata (lit., "long sword," a halberd: 長刀 or 薙刀). Later, she must sacrifice her son for the shogun's heir."
"Design"
"Hangaku presses her hand against the massive gate, which she will soon tear down. Her anger and determination are evident in the mie (pose: 見得) struck by the superstar actor Utaemon III. The simulated wood grain of the doors provides an effective background to complement the colorful robes (patterned with repeated emblems of tsuru or cranes, 鶴)."
This information is taken directly from Osakaprints.com.
Tenmaya Kihei (天満屋喜兵衛) (publisher)
Nakamura Utaemon III (三代目中村歌右衛門) (actor)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)