The Actors Arashi Sangoro II as Tadanobu and Segawa Kikunojo III as Shikuza Gozen in the Play Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees

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At A Glance

  • Period

    1774
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Ink and color on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W (overall): 32.1 x 14.8 cm (12 5/8 x 5 13/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    S2004.3.40
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S2004.3.40

Object Details

  • Artist

    Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川春章 (1726-1792)
  • Label

    Dance (buyo) is a central element of kabuki performance. Here, in a famous episode from the play, Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees (Yoshitsune sembonzakura), the actor Arashi Sangoro II (1732-1803) performs a dance in which he struggles not to reveal his true identity as a fox-spirit who has assumed the form of the warrior Tadanobu so that he may remain near the drum that was made from his father's skin. In this dance, as Yoshitsune's mistress Shizuka Gozen (played by Segawa Kikunojo III) plays the hand drum, Tadanobu's movements and gestures increasingly become more foxlike. The dance culminates in a rapid exit along the hanamichi, the stage extension that runs through the audience.
  • 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

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