Figure of Kyogen performer in role of Sambaso

Object Details

• Description

  Buff clay. Hand formed, hollow.

  Incised and stamped designs on costume. Square seal "Rakurakuen-sei" (product of Rakurakuen) impressed near hem of garment, on proper right side of figure.

  Yellow ash glaze on garment and feet; bluish clear glaze on face; iron glaze on cap and in pupils of eyes.

• Marks

  Square seal "Rakurakuen-sei" (product of Rakurakuen) impressed near hem of garment, on proper right side of figure.

• Label

  The figure represents Sambaso, one of the three characters in the No play Okina, which originated in ancient fold beliefs and prayers for a bountiful harvest. The play always came first in a program of No plays, and was performed on felicitous occasions such as the New Year. In the performance the handsome young man Senzai danced first, and was followed by the god of longevity, Okina, who wore the bearded white mask of an old man. Then came Sambaso, who danced twice, first without a mask and then wearing a black version of the Okina mask. In contrast to the mysterious solemnity of Okina's dance, both of Sambaso's dances were lively and comical.

  This figure is identified by its costume (with designs of cranes and pine seedlings, connoting longevity and new life), active posture with right arm upraised and left arm outstretched (probably once holding a dance fan), and facial expression representing Sambaso as he performed his first dance, when he chants the ancient cries of "yo, hon, ho!" The figure was probably meant to be displayed in the alcove of a formal drawing room at the New Year. Freer acquired this figure from the Paris dealer Siegfried Bing (1838-1905), who was famous for supporting art nouveau and promoting Japanese antiques in Europe.

• Provenance

  Collection of Ninagawa Noritane (1835-1882), Kyoto [1]

  To 1901

  Siegfried Bing (1838-1905), Paris to 1901 [2]

  From 1901 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Siegfried Bing, Paris in 1901 [3]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See Original Pottery List, L. 957, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

  [4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Japanese Ceramics from Seto and Mino (January 19, 1996 to August 5, 2001)

  Garden Potteries and Official Kilns: Clan-Sponsored Ceramics in the Edo Period (January 16, 1986 to November 3, 1986)

  Japanese Ceramics (April 11, 1978 to January 17, 1980)

  Centennial Exhibition, Gallery 5 (February 25, 1956 to March 15, 1957)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art, 1955 (October 25, 1955 to November 22, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Screens (October 3, 1947 to November 10, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Japanese Art (October 3, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Ninagawa Noritane (1835-1882)

  Siegfried Bing (1838-1905) (C.L. Freer source)

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Rakurakuen kiln, Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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• Date

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• Name

  Bing, Siegfried, Freer, Charles Lang, Ninagawa, Noritane

• Place

  Rakurakuen kiln, Tokyo, Japan, Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku

• Topic

  Charles Lang Freer collection, Art, Actors and actresses, Noh, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Rakurakuen ware, Portraits, Ceramics

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Sculpture