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print
Object Type
print
Museum number
1906,1220,0.388
Description
Colour woodblock print, one sheet of an oban polyptych. The kabuki actor Sawamura Sojuro IV in an unknown role, grasping a sword.
Producer name
Print artist:
Utagawa Toyokuni I 初代歌川豊国
Cultures/periods
Bunka Era
Production date
1811
(1812)
Production place
Published in:
Edo
Materials
paper
Technique
woodblock
colour
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
The actor succeeded to the name Sojuro IV in the 11th month of 1811 at the Ichimura-za. He was taken ill in the 5th month of the following year after which he stopped performing, and he died in the 12th month of 1812. According to Waseda University’s Engeki Hakubutsukan online database (see no. 001-0694), this print is dated to between the 3rd and 5th months, 1812. Sojuro was performing at the Ichimura-za during this year. (Paul Griffith, 25/11/2009.)
Bibliographic references
Binyon 1916 / A Catalogue of Japanese & Chinese Woodcuts Preserved in the Sub-Department of Oriental Prints and Drawings in the British Museum
(77)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
actor/actress
kabuki
wrestling/wrestler
Associated names
Representation of:
Sawamura Sojuro IV 四代目澤村宗十郎
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Arthur Morrison
Acquisition date
1906
Department
Asia
Registration number
1906,1220,0.388