Daruma’s Buffoonery

(Dôke Daruma asobi)

Publisher: Hori Masa

1847

After the imposition of a ban on actor prints in 1842, Kuniyoshi produced numerous humorous designs with thinly disguised actors’ portraits. In this series, well known actors are portrayed as Daruma, without any mention of their names. This series is listed as number 191 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The prints in this series are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

	Title: Dôke daruma ken Description: Actors Nakamura Utaemon IV (right), Ichikawa Kuzô II (center) and Matsumoto Kôshirô VI (left) playing the game of ken
	Title: Zazenmame Description: Actors Ichimura Uzaemon XII (right), Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII (center) and Onoe Kikujirô II (left)
	Title: Sumidagawa Description: Actors Bandô Shûka (right), Sawamura Sôjûrô V (center) and Onoe Kikugorô III (left)
	Title: Otowa no taki Description: Actors Badnô Shûka and Onoe Kikugorô III
	Title: Description: Image courtesy of Marie de Strycker

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