Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Fashion

(Kuniyoshi moyô shôfuda tsuketari genkin otoko)

Publisher: Iba-ya Kyûbei

1845

The rather cumbersome title of this series of heroic bust portraits is derived from a contemporary kabuki play ‘Shôfuda tsuki kongen kusazuri’. The backgrounds are a solid color with a short signed poem. The prints in this series are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

	Bust portrait: Banzui Chôbei Poet: Harunoya Kôichi Robinson: S40.1
	Another state of the above print.
	Bust portrait: Danshichi Kurobei pouring a bucket of water over himself Poet: Hôshitei Robinson: S40.2 Image courtesy of Richard Illing
	Bust portrait: Goshaku Somegorô playing a shakuhachi (bamboo flute) Poet: Umeya Robinson: S40.3 NOTE: The uneven coloration of the background is the result of oxidation of the ink.
	Bust portrait: Nozarashi Gosuke in a robe of skulls made up of cats and carrying a long sword with a skull-like wooden sandal attached Poet: Ryûkatei Tanekazu Robinson: S40.4
	This is another state of the above print.
	Bust portrait: The sumô wrestler Nuregami Chôgorô holding a pipe Poet: Rôshô Robinson: S40.5
	Bust portrait: Shirai Gompachi holding a spotted scarf over his shoulders with a shakuhachi (bamboo flute) tucked in the back of his girdle Poet: Ryûkatei Tanekazu Robinson: S40.6
	Bust portrait: Teranishi Kanshin holding an open fan Poet: Gosônoya of Ise Robinson: S40.7
	Bust portrait: Tôken Gombei looking in a mirror and wearing a kimono decorated with scenes of hell Poet: Takaraya Masuo Robinson: S40.8
	Bust portrait: Ude Kisaburô with a grim face and folded arms Poet: Kunoya Umeki Robinson: S40.9
	Bust portrait: Ume no Yoshibei glaring with his hands on the hilt of his sword Poet: Umeya Robinson: S40.10

‘Robinson’ refers to listing in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its unpublished supplement.

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