Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), The kabuki actors Onoe Baiko III as the ghost of Kasane, ‘Kasane no shiryo’ (R), actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Shiozawa Tanzaburo (C) and Sawamura Tossho I (L), 1836

Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)

The kabuki actors Onoe Baiko III as the ghost of Kasane, ‘Kasane no shiryo’ (R), actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Shiozawa Tanzaburo (C) and Sawamura Tossho I (L), 1836

Woodblock print, triptych

Vertical oban, each sheet approx.:
36.2 x 25.5 cm. (14 ¼ x 10 in.)

Signed: 'Gototei Kunisada ga' (to each sheet)
Publisher: Kagaya Kichiemon
Censor's seal: 'kiwame' (approved)
Date: 1836, 2nd month

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The performances depicted here are from the play Kuruwa Kuruwa Date no Oyose, performed at the Ichimura Theatre on 2nd month of 1836. In the play a woman Kasane is...

The performances depicted here are from the play Kuruwa Kuruwa Date no Oyose, performed at the Ichimura Theatre on 2nd month of 1836. In the play a woman Kasane is murdered by her husband on account of her unsightly appearance. To the lower right of the depicting of Onoe Baiko III as the ghost of Kasane is the inscription 此度新工夫大当り(Kono tabi / shin kufu / oatari oatari): "On this occasion, the new device was a big hit, a big hit", most likely a reference to the use of a new stage device creating some illusion or suprise trick to enhance the ghostly performance.

An incomplete impression of this triptych (centre and right sheets only and described as a diptych print) is in the collection of The British Museum, museum no. 2018,3021.125.1-2, go to: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_2018-3021-125-1-2

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