About This Print

One of 200 prints issued as part of the series Nōga taikan (Encyclopedia of Noh Plays) depicting a scene from the play Sanshō by and unknown playwright.

The Play - Sanshō (Laughter Among the Sages)

Source: A Guide to No, P.G. O'Neill, Hinoki Shoten, 1929, p. 149-150.

After a short introduction by a local person living in ancient China, the priest E-on (Hui Yuan) tells how he has lived in the place in monastic retreat for more than thirty years.  During all this time, in accordance with a strict rule of his, he has never left the neighbourhood of the mountain where he has settled.  On day, however, To Emmei (T'ao Yuan-ming) and Riku Shusei (Lu Hsiu-ching) come to visit him and during the ensuing festivities E-on has so much to drink that when he sees them off on their return, he unsteadily crosses the bridge with them and goes beyond the bounds of his retreat.  Emmei then points out that he has at last broken his rule, and all three burst into laughter.

Print Details

IHL Catalog	#141
Title	Sanshō 三笑 (Laughter Among the Sages)
Series	Nōga taikan 能画大鑑 (Encyclopedia of Noh Plays or A Great Mirror of Noh Pictures or A Great Collection of Noh Pictures)
Artist	Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927)
Signature	Kōgyo
Seal	Kōgyo seal
Date	1925-1930
Edition	unknown
Publisher	Seibi Shoten (or Seibi Shoin), Tokyo
Carver	Uchida Eikichi
Printer	Yoshida Takesaburō
Impression	excellent
Colors	excellent
Condition	good - left margin trimmed; not backed
Genre	ukiyo-e
Miscellaneous
Format	oban yoko-e
H x W Paper	10 x 13 7/8 in. (25.4 x 35.2 cm)
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