illustrated book; print

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Object Type: illustrated book; print
Museum number: 1979,0305,0.196.1
Title: Object: (Gazu) Yakusha sangaikyo (画図) 佻憂三階興 (Amusements of Actors on the Third Floor (Illustrated))
Description: Illustrated book, print. Vol. 1 of two volumes. Depictions of actors off stage and in private settings. Colour woodblock-printed.
Producer name: Print artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I (歌川豊国); Published by: Shunshoken Nishimiya Shinroku; Published by: Yorozuya Tajiemon
Cultures/periods: Edo Period; Kyowa Era
Production date: 1801
Production place: Published in: Edo
Materials
Technique: woodblock; colour
Dimensions: Height: 21.80 centimetres; Width: 15.60 centimetres
Curator's comments: Hillier and Smith 1980 The private lives of entertainers were of deep interest to the public, and this very finely printed work, its designs often appropriately dramatic, served as a superior sort of gossip-sheet. The 'third floor' housed the actors' dressing-rooms. Literature: Toda, Kenji, 'Descriptive Catalogue of the Japanese and Chinese Illustrated Books in the Ryerson Library of the Art Institute of Chicago', Chicago, 1931, pp. 287-8.
Bibliographic references: Hillier & Smith 1980 / Japanese Prints: 300 Years of Albums and Books (94); Smith 1988 / Ukiyoe: Images of Unknown Japan (Books:41); Hizo Ukiyo-e taikan Vol 3 / Hizo Ukiyo-e taikan (293-304); Royal Academy 1981 / The Great Japan Exhibition: Art of the Edo Period 1600-1868 (141); Hillier 1987 / The Art of the Japanese Book (Figs. 377-378); Gerstle 2005 / Kabuki Heroes of the Osaka Stage, 1780-1830 (78)
Location: Not on display
Exhibition history: Exhibited: 'Kabuki Heroes of the Osaka Stage, 1780-1830' British Museum, 30th Jun-15th Sep 2005 Osaka Rekishi Hakubutsukan, 1st Oct-23rd Nov 2005 Waseda Daigaku Tsubouchi-Hakushi Kinen Engeki Hakubutsukan, 1st Dec 2005-23rd Jan 2006
Subjects: actor/actress; kabuki
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1979
Department: Asia
Registration number: 1979,0305,0.196.1
Additional IDs: Previous owner/ex-collection number: JH.196 (Hillier no.)

Free entry

Opening hours