About This Print and Nō Sugata
Source: based on documentation kindly provided by Claus-Peter Schultz.From volume five of a twenty volume album titled Nō Sugata consisting of text, photographs, illustrations and color woodblock prints published by Unsōdō Publishing over the period 1931-1934. The woodblock prints were created by Matsuno Sōfū (1899-1963), the photographs by Genzō Kitazumi (1898-1982), the album's text was written by Kanze Sakon (1895-1939), the 24th head (sōke) of the Kanze School and Nō actor, and the preface was written by Sasakawa Rinfu (active 1920s-1930s).
For another depiction of this play by the artist see Nōga taikan, Semimaru. For a depiction of this play by the artist's teacher see the print Nōgaku hyakuban, Semimaru by Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927). For another treatment of this story see Semimaru by Suga Tatehiko (1878-1963).
Source: A Guide to No, P.G. O'Neill, Hinoki Shoten, 1929, p.154-155.
The Play - Semimaru 蝉丸 by Zeami
Source: A Guide to No, P.G. O'Neill, Hinoki Shoten, 1929, p.154-155.
Fourth group
All schools
Characters:Tsure - Prince SemimaruWaki - a Court OfficialWak-tsure - two bearersKyōgen - Hakuga no SanmmiShite - Princess Sakagami
On the order of the Emperor Daigo, a Court official takes Prince Semimaru, who has been blind since he was a child, to Ōsaka-yama and leaves him there with only his lute to comfort him. The Prince accepts his lot with resignation, feeling that his blindness is the result of some failure of his in a previous existence, and that the present apparent cruelty of his father is only due to a desire to help him gain a happier fate in a future life. Meanwhile, his sister Princess Sakagami has gone out of her mind and is now a wild-haired figure, wandering aimlessly from place to place. She comes one day to Ōsaka-yama and, attracted by the sound of Semimaru's lute, finds her brother again. For a while they forget their loneliness as they talk together and comfort each other, but then the Princess leaves him and continues her sad wanderings.
Noh performance of Semimaru by Kanze Tetsunojo February 1968 Copyright 1998-2006, Global Performing Arts Consortium
Noh performance of Semimaru by Kanze Tetsunojo February 1968
Copyright 1998-2006, Global Performing Arts Consortium
Print Details
IHL Catalog #1598 Title Semimaru 蝉丸 Series Nō Sugata 能寿賀多 Artist
Matsuno Sōfū (1899-1963)
Signature
奏風 Sōfū Seal unread seal beneath signature (see above) Date 1931-1934
Edition first and only
Publisher Unsōdō Publishing Carver unknown Printer unknown Impression excellent
Colors excellent Condition excellent - foxing, particularly along top margin and light toning
Genre nishiki-e; Nōgaku zue [Noh play picture] Miscellaneous
Format oban H x W Paper 11 7/8 x 9 11/16 in. (30.2 x 24.6 cm) H x W Image 11 5/8 x 9 1/2 in. ( 29.5 x 24.1 cm) Collections This Print
Reference Literature
| IHL Catalog | #1598 |
| Title | Semimaru 蝉丸 |
| Series | Nō Sugata 能寿賀多 |
| Artist | Matsuno Sōfū (1899-1963) |
| Signature | |
| Seal | unread seal beneath signature (see above) |
| Date | 1931-1934 |
| Edition | first and only |
| Publisher | Unsōdō Publishing |
| Carver | unknown |
| Printer | unknown |
| Impression | excellent |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | excellent - foxing, particularly along top margin and light toning |
| Genre | nishiki-e; Nōgaku zue [Noh play picture] |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Format | oban |
| H x W Paper | 11 7/8 x 9 11/16 in. (30.2 x 24.6 cm) |
| H x W Image | 11 5/8 x 9 1/2 in. ( 29.5 x 24.1 cm) |
| Collections This Print | |
| Reference Literature |
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