print
- Museum number
- 1906,1220,0.462
- Description
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Colour woodblock print, oban. Profile view of the large head of kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo as Usui no Arataro Sadamitsu in a ‘Shibaraku’ scene in the play ‘Seiwa nidai oyose Genji’ by Katsu Hyozo I, (Tsuruya Nanboku IV); performed at the Miyako-za in the 11th month of 1796.
- Production date
- 1796
- Dimensions
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Height: 38.50 centimetres
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Width: 25 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
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The great Ebizo (formerly Danjuro V) in his retirement performance of the most famous Kabuki role. An unusual profile portrait of the moment when the hero shouts, 'Wait one moment!' before coming to the rescue of some hapless victim. (Label cpy, TTC 1995)
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Smith et al 1990
The 'shibaraku' scene is perhaps the most famous in all Kabuki drama - a heavily stylised show-piece in which, with cries of 'shibaraku!' ('wait a moment!') from the back of the theatre, a hero enters down the raised walkway ('hanamichi') to rescue hapless victims about to be done to death.
For this large head' ('okubi-e') portrait of the great Ebizo (formerly Ichikawa Danjuro V) in his retirement performance of the 'shibaraku' role, the artist Kunimasa has chosen an unusual, highly striking profile view. Many elements of the fantastic 'shibaraku' costume and make-up are nevertheless visible: the 'five-spoke wheel' wig with white paper 'strength' decorations under the black lacquer court hat; the fierce red make-up; a green jacket with white stylised crane pattern; and dominating the composition a sleeve of the persimmon-coloured over-costume decorated with the three white interlocking squares of the Ichikawa family emblem. Possibly Kunimasa is depicting the very moment when, gripping the handle of his fan in barely controlled fury, Ebizo will shout 'shibaraku!'.
See also:
Hillier, Jack, 'Japanese Colour Prints', London, 1966, reprinted 1975, no. 37.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
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Exhibited:
2001, 30 Jan-8 Apr, BM Japanese Galleries, 'Arts of Japan: Recently repaired paintings, Ukiyo-e IV'
2021 - 2022 27 Apr – 16 Jan, Madrid, Caixa Forum, “Human Image”
- Associated titles
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Associated Title: Shibaraku 暫 (scene)
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Associated Title: Seiwa nidai oyose Genji 清和二代大寄源氏 (play)
- Acquisition date
- 1906
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1906,1220,0.462
