Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the Eight Views

(Mitate saiku yakusha hakkei, 見立細工役者八景)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya

c. 1834

 

In eleventh-century China, eight views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers developed as a formalized series of landscape paintings. They represented views of the rivers and wetlands around Lake Dongting. The same eight views–autumn moon, lingering snow, evening glow, vesper bells, returning sails, clearing weather, night rain, and homing geese–are likened to performances by kabuki actors in this series of prints.  The series is listed as number 167 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).  The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.  I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for her assistance with this series.

 

Actor: Bandô Mitsugorô IV

Description: Bandô Mitsugorô IV standing with fan under full moon

View: Autumn moon (Akisuki, 秋月)

Actors’ guild: Yamatoya (大和屋)

 

NOTE: The red cartouche contains the name of the actors’ guild and the view.

大和屋 (Yamatoya, name of actors’ guild)

秋月 (autumn moon, akisuki)

 

The mon (seals) of the actors’ guild are on the moon (Mitsudai, 三ツ大) and on the obi (Hanakatsumi, 花勝見):

 

Actor: Sawamura Tosshô I

Description: Sawamura Tosshô I in the snow

View: Lingering snow (Bosetsu, 暮雪)

Actors’ guild: Kinokuniya (紀伊国屋)

 

Actor: Iwai Shijaku I

Description: Iwai Shijaku I in female role standing in a small boat

View: Evening glow (Yuto, 夕燈)

Actors’ guild: Yamatoya (大和屋)

d

 

Actor: Onoe Kikugorô III

Description: Onoe Kikugorô III seated on a mat with food and drink before him

View: Vespers bells (Banto, 晩祷)

Actors’ guild: Otowaya (音羽屋)

Kuniyoshi - Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the 8 Views (R167), actor as Owariya, Returning sails

Actor: Seki Sanjûrô II

Description: Seki Sanjûrô II standing by stream with sails in background

View: Returning sails (Kihan, 帰帆)

Actors’ guild: Owariya (尾張屋) 

 

NOTE: The sails in the background bear three different mon of the Owariya actors’ guild.

 

 

 

Kuniyoshi - Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the 8 Views (R167), Clearing Weather at Daiko-ya (Daiko-ya seiran), actor Iwai Hanshiro VI in a female role holding a cricket cage

 

Actor: Iwai Shijaku I

Description: Iwai Shijaku I in a female role holding an insect cage

View: Clearing weather (Seiran, 晴嵐)

Actors’ guild: Yamatoya (大和屋)

 

Kuniyoshi - Selected Fine Performances of Actors for the 8 Views (R167), Clearing Weather at Daiko-ya (Daiko-ya seiran), actor Iwai Hanshiro VI in a female role holding a cricket cage (blue)

 

Another state of the above design

b

 

Actor: Ichikawa Ebizô V

Description: Ichikawa Ebizô V in rain holding closed umbrella 

View: Night rain (Yau, 夜雨)

Actors’ guild: Naritaya (成田屋)

g

 

Actor: Nakamura Shikan II

Description: Nakamura Shikan II with a fishing pole

View: Homing geese (Rakugan, 落雁)

Actors’ guild: Narikomaya (成駒屋)

 

Another state of the above design

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