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KUNISADA II Utagawa (1823-1880)
Actor Segawa Kikunojô V as the Cat Witch. 5/1852.
- Category
- Japanese | 20th Century
- Series
- The Book of Eight Dog Heroes. Hakkenden inu no sôshi no uchi
- Publisher
- Tsutaya Kichizo.
oban tate-e, 24.4 cm × 35.2 cm
Very good impression, colour and condition. Slightly trimmed.
The actor Segawa Kikunojô V in the role of Nun Myôchin, the cat witch. The monster appears in the novel "Hakkenden" by Bakin in which eight long-lost brothers, all borne of Princess Fusehime and a dog" yatsufusa", search for one another. A kabuki version was premiered at the Ichimuraza Theatre, the first month of 1852.
This scene is the dramatic highlight of the play. The monstrous cat murders the father of the dog hero 'inamura Kakutarô' and then assumes his likeness. He enters the stage to greet Kakutarô's wife, but the hairy body and huge claws of his true identity can be seen behind the gauze curtain. Death is imminent, suggested by the falling cherry blossoms, and the monster is moved to murder. Signed Ichiyosai Kunisada ga.
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