Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)
Okazaki neko ishi no kai (The Spirit of the Cat Rock at Okazaki), 1854, 5th month
Woodblock print, triptych
Signed: 'Toyokuni ga' (to each sheet)
Publisher: Riya Sojiro
Censor's seal: 'aratame' (certified)
Date seal: 'Tiger 5' (1854, 5th month)
Blockcutter's mark: 'Hori Komakichi'
Signed: 'Toyokuni ga' (to each sheet)
Publisher: Riya Sojiro
Censor's seal: 'aratame' (certified)
Date seal: 'Tiger 5' (1854, 5th month)
Blockcutter's mark: 'Hori Komakichi'
Vertical oban, each sheet approx.:
36.2 x 24.8 cm. (14 ¼ x 9 ¾ in.)
36.2 x 24.8 cm. (14 ¼ x 9 ¾ in.)
£ 1,400.00
At the centre of this design is the supernatural Kabuki character the Spirit of the Cat Stone (Okazaki neko ishi no kai) and on the left is the hero Tsukimoto...
At the centre of this design is the supernatural Kabuki character the Spirit of the Cat Stone (Okazaki neko ishi no kai) and on the left is the hero Tsukimoto Inabanosuke. The Spirit is dressed as an old woman in the layered brocade robes of a court lady, but has sprouted cat's ears, paws and fur. The scene is set in a lonely inn at Okazaki on the Tokaido road and the figures are in front of tattered reed blinds with bats flying overhead.
This print probably illustrates a performance in the play Azuma Kudari gojusan tsugi, performed at the Kawarazaki theatre in July 1854. This triptych appears to have been published in advance of the performance.
This print probably illustrates a performance in the play Azuma Kudari gojusan tsugi, performed at the Kawarazaki theatre in July 1854. This triptych appears to have been published in advance of the performance.