The Story of the Soga Brothers

(Soga monogatari no uchi, 曽我物語之内)

Publisher: Izutsu-ya Shôkichi

1854

 

In this series, well-known actors are portrayed in historical roles, without mention of the actors’ names.  The series is listed as number 205 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.

 

 

Role: Iwai Kumesaburô III as [Kudo] Kinsekimaru (金石丸)

Play: Matsu icho tsuru kame Soga (松扇杏鶴亀曽我)

 

Image courtesy of Marie de Strycker

 

Another state of the above design

 

Role: Kataoka Gatô II as Kawazu [Sukeyasu] (河津)

Play: Matsu icho tsuru kame Soga (松扇杏鶴亀曽我)

 

Image courtesy of Marie de Strycker

 

Role: Actor as [Soga] Gorô (五郎)

Play: Ya-no-Ne (矢の根)

 

NOTE: Soga Gorô, rushing to rescue his brother, encounters a seller of radishes. He takes the man’s horse and picks up a large radish, which he uses as a weapon and as a riding crop.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN PAGE

 

image016