About This Print
This print is one of two small format prints created by Terasawa Kōtarō (fl. ca. 1915) for the short-lived 1915 magazine Shin Nigao whose purpose was to advertise the Kabuki theater and renew interest in actor prints. This print appeared in the second issue of the magazine, published in July 1915, and portrays the actor Nakamura Kichiemon in his famous role of Takechi Mitsuhide.
For more information on this short-lived magazine whose purpose was to advertise the Kabuki theater and renew interest in actor prints, see the article Shin Nigao Magazine.
The Actor in this Print
Source: The Japan Times Online, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 “Son pays tribute to a kabuki master” by Rei Sasaguchi http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ft20030917a1.html and as footnoted.Kichiemon I (1886-1954) was a unique figure in 20th-century kabuki theater. The son of a mediocre kabuki actor from Osaka who was married to the daughter of a restaurant owner who catered food to the Ichi-muraza Theater in Tokyo, Kichiemon I's great talent and unstinting efforts made him one of the most influential kabuki actors of the time. An ardent admirer of Ichikawa Danjuro IX, the master of the gallant aragoto style of kabuki acting native to Edo, Kichiemon developed his acting skill in jidaimono (historical plays), competing with Onoe Kikugoro VI, who was unrivaled in sewamono (realistic plays).
One of Nakamura Kichiemon I's best roles is that of Takechi Mitsuhide in the play Toki-ha Ima Kikyô no Hataage1.
The Play Toki-ha Ima Kikyō no Hataage
This drama is a five-act play written by Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755-1829), and first performed in 1808. This drama was reduced to three acts during the Meiji era and received the title "Toki-ha Ima Kikyō no Hataage".2Source: website of Sekidobashi Sakura http://homepage1.nifty.com/aby/2000/septembers.htm.
This story is based on the actual revolt by Akechi Mitsuhide against his lord Oda Nobunaga. Mitsuhide cornered Nobunaga in an attack on Honnoji Temple in 1553 causing Nobunaga to commit suicide. When the play was performed, the government had forbidden any performance based on a real incident. Thus the writer Nanboku needed to change names of characters in his drama, changing the real-life Akechi Mitsuhide to the character Takechi Mitsuhide.
1 Kabuki 21 website http://www.kabuki21.com/kichiemon1.php
2 Kabuki 21 website http://www.kabuki21.com/badarai_no_mitsuhide.php
Print Details
| IHL Catalog | #261 |
| Title | [Nakamura] Kichiemon [in the role of] Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀) - as shown in the two cartouches top right of print. [The play Toki-ha Ima Kikyō no Hataage (or Badara Mitsuhide)] The presentation sheet reads Matsuhide (Kichiemon) (吉右衛門) 光秀  |
| Series | Magazine: Shin Nigao (New Portraits) volume unknown 新似顔 第一年貮編 |
| Artist | Terasawa Kōtarō (fl. ca. 1915) |
| Signature | Terasawa Kōtarō ga (printed on the presentation page print is mounted to.) |
| Seal |  |
| Date | July 1915 |
| Edition | First and only edition printed in magazine Shin Nigao |
| Publisher | Nigaodō 似顔洞 |
| Carver and Printer | Igami Bonkotsu (1875-1933) |
| Impression | excellent |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | good - foxing on magazine page with several spots on bottom margin of print |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Genre | shin hanga (new prints); nigao-e |
| Format | Koban |
| H x W Paper | 7 1/4 x 4 3/4 in. (18.4 x 12.1 cm) |
| Collections This Print | The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum of Waseda University 201-0461; The British Museum 1991,1112,0.193.2 (entire magazine, only front cover shown); Art Research Center Ritsumeikan University BM-SJ193-02 (British Museum's copy of entire magazine with all pages shown) |
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