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Description

One print in two pieces (parts a-b). The scene shows nine figures in a comical scene. Part a, the left half, shows a male kabuki actor, to the left of a flowered screen. The other side (part b), shows eight female figures, his fans, who are in the back at the right side with a screen separating them from the actor. The screen has two white and pink flowers, with yellow centres and green leaves, on a speckled off-white background; the panel stands in a brown wood frame. The male figure at the left is facing forward with his head turned toward the women behind the screen. He is sitting cross-legged and is wearing a robe with a beige and dark brown floral pattern on a brown background. The eight female figures are in various positions, wearing clothing that is red, blue, brown, and grey. The floor is blue-green; the background is off-white. In the upper left side (on part a), is the title: 獨息子に娵八人 (Hitori musuko ni yome hachinin), which appears in black on red, in a vertical rectangle. Next to the title is a poem by Umeya. There are two circular black censor seals below the poem. Signed 一勇齊国芳戯画 (Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi giga), with a red outlined shape below. The print is made of two vertically rectangular pieces, creating a horizontally rectangular image overall.

History Of Use

This type of ukiyo-e print is referred to as ōban nishiki-e (大判錦絵). Ōban refers to a print size about 24-25cm x 32-37 cm, and nishiki-e refers to multi-colored woodblock print.

Narrative

This print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) is entitled, Hitori musuko ni yome hachinin (獨息子に娵八人). It depicts a behind-the scenes view of kabuki theatre in a comical way. Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII (八代目 市川 團十郎) was very popular, and his fans rushed to see him.

Iconographic Meaning

The male figure on part a represents kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII (八代目 市川 團十郎). The poem by Umeya (梅屋) reads: “一輪の牡丹にうしのつのめたつ恋あらそいは娵も八人 (Ichirin no botan ni ushi no tsumetatsu koiarasoi wa yome mo hachinin).”