The Actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Ishikawa Goemon

Object Details

• Artist

  Gigado Ashiyuki 戯画堂芦幸 (active ca. 1814–33)

• Label

  This print was published in 1817 at the height of the rivalry between the actor Nakamura Utaemon III, shown here in the role of Ishikawa Goemon, and Arashi Kichisaburo II, shown in the print to the left. The fictional character Ishikawa Goemon was inspired by stories of a ronin (masterless samurai) bandit who was ultimately captured by the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), and along with his son was boiled in oil. Goemon's exploits became a popular subject of puppet and kabuki performances in Osaka beginning in the late seventeenth century. Here Utaemon wears a costume decorated with a pattern of chess pieces reading "dragon king." He carries a long sword and a large chest is strapped to his back. The fictional Goemon became a sympathetic character who resisted authority by repeatedly evading capture.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection (September 15, 2002 to January 9, 2003)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  The Anne van Biema Collection

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Gigado, Ashiyuki

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Theater, Yakusha-e, Art, Actors and actresses, Oban, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Anne van Biema collection, Portraits, Ukiyo-e

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints