About This Print
he print depicts a scene from the play Tenko, attributed to the playwright Zeami Motokiyo (1363-1443). The print depicts a scene from the play Tenko, attributed to the playwright Zeami Motokiyo (1363-1443). For another depiction of this play see IHL Cat. #946 Nōgakuzue, Tenko by Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927).The Play - Tenko
Source: A Guide to Kyogen, Don Kenny, Hinoki Shoten, 1968, p. 188-189.
Act 1: Waki - an Imperial envoy
Shite - an old man, the father of Tenko
Kyōgen - a servant
Act 2: Nochi-shite - the ghost of Tenko
A boy name Tenko has a wonderful drum which had come down from Heaven, but when this was taken from him to be presented to the Emperor he drowned himself. An Imperial envoy tells this story and explains that as no one has been able to make any sound come from the drum since it was taken to the Palace, he has been sent to fetch the father of Tenko. Together they go to the Palace, and when the father strikes the drum it gives out such a miraculous sound that he is promised a rich reward and a musical performance is arranged to placate the soul of his son. When this is done, the ghost of Tenko comes and dances before them.
Act 1: Waki - an Imperial envoy
Shite - an old man, the father of Tenko
Kyōgen - a servant
Act 2: Nochi-shite - the ghost of Tenko
A boy name Tenko has a wonderful drum which had come down from Heaven, but when this was taken from him to be presented to the Emperor he drowned himself. An Imperial envoy tells this story and explains that as no one has been able to make any sound come from the drum since it was taken to the Palace, he has been sent to fetch the father of Tenko. Together they go to the Palace, and when the father strikes the drum it gives out such a miraculous sound that he is promised a rich reward and a musical performance is arranged to placate the soul of his son. When this is done, the ghost of Tenko comes and dances before them.
For additional information on this play go to the Noh Plays DataBase website http://www.the-noh.com/en/plays/data/program_021.html
Print Details
| IHL Catalog | #1814 |
| Title or Description | Tenko 天鼓 (The Drum from Heaven) |
| Series | untitled |
| Artist | Hasegawa Sadanobu III (Konobu III) (1881-1963) |
| Signature |  |
| Seal | 小信 Konobu square seal (see above) |
| Publication Date | undated but likely c. 1925-1940 |
| Publisher | unknown |
| Impression | excellent |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | good - foxing throughout |
| Genre | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Format | shikishiban |
| H x W Paper | 8 7/8 x 8 5/16 in. (22.5 x 21.1 cm) |
| H x W Image | 6 15/16 x 7 in. (17.6 x 17.8 cm) |
| Literature | |
| Collections This Print |
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