About This Print
Right Margin Description of Scene
click on image to enlarge
For background on the Noh theater see the article on this site "Noh - A Brief Summary by Beata Kubiak Ho-Chi".
The Play - Morihisa by Motomasa
Source: A Guide to No, P.G. O'Neill, Hinoki Shoten, 1929, p. 163-164.
Characters:Waki - Tsuchiya no SaburōShite - Taira no MorihisaWaki-tsure - two bearersWaki-tsure - an executionerKyōgen - a servant
After his capture by the Minamoto, Morihisa is sent to Kamakura in the charge of Tsuchiya no Saburō, but continues to pray faithfully to the goddess Kannon throughout the journey. Even after arriving at Kamakura, Morihisa talks with Tsuchiya about the power of the sutras. In the course of a short nap he then has a wonderful dream, but immediately afterwards is led off to the execution ground. There, just when the executioner lift his sword to strike off Morihisa's head, he is so dazzled by the light from the sutra in the prisoner's hand that he drops the sword and sees it shatter into fragments. In the second act Morihisa appears before the Shōgun Yoritomoe (not represented ont eh stage) and tells of his dream. Having had a similar dream, Yoritimo takes it as an omen and spares Morihisa's life. he then orders wine to be brought and has Morihisa perform a dance for him.
Source: A Guide to No, P.G. O'Neill, Hinoki Shoten, 1929, p. 163-164.
Characters:
Waki - Tsuchiya no Saburō
Shite - Taira no Morihisa
Waki-tsure - two bearers
Waki-tsure - an executioner
Kyōgen - a servant
After his capture by the Minamoto, Morihisa is sent to Kamakura in the charge of Tsuchiya no Saburō, but continues to pray faithfully to the goddess Kannon throughout the journey. Even after arriving at Kamakura, Morihisa talks with Tsuchiya about the power of the sutras. In the course of a short nap he then has a wonderful dream, but immediately afterwards is led off to the execution ground. There, just when the executioner lift his sword to strike off Morihisa's head, he is so dazzled by the light from the sutra in the prisoner's hand that he drops the sword and sees it shatter into fragments. In the second act Morihisa appears before the Shōgun Yoritomoe (not represented ont eh stage) and tells of his dream. Having had a similar dream, Yoritimo takes it as an omen and spares Morihisa's life. he then orders wine to be brought and has Morihisa perform a dance for him.
Print Details
| IHL Catalog | #1928 |
| Title | Morihisa 盛久 |
| Series | Nōgakuzue 能樂圖繪 (Illustrations of Noh) |
| Artist | Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927) |
| Signature |  |
| Seal | White letter seal in a square shape with double border: 耕／漁 [Kō / gyo] (as shown above) |
| Date | Date is trimmed from the left margin of this collection's print. The Art Research Center, Ritsumeikan University lists the dates as follows: Printed on July 10, 1899 / Issued on July 15, 1899 明治三十二年七月十日印刷仝年仝月十五日発行 |
| Edition | unknown |
| Publisher | Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya Heikichi 大黒屋平) [Marks: pub. ref. 029] Publishing information is trimmed from the left margin. |
| Carver | |
| Impression | good |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | good - minor soiling; backed with original album paper; left margin trimmed |
| Genre | ukiyo-e; 能楽図絵 Nōgaku zue [Noh play picture] |
| Miscellaneous | The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston notes Part II, Section I kōhen, jō 後編、上 |
| Format | ōban yoko-e |
| H x W Paper | 9 1/2 x 13 13/16 in. (24.1 x 35.1 cm) |
| H x W Image | 8 7/8 x 12 7/8 in. (22.5 x 32.7 cm) area within printed black border |
| Collections This Print | Art Research Center, Ritsumeikan University arcUP0978 (July 15, 1899); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 53.2928.34 (July 7, 1899); Art Institute Chicago 1939.2258.133 (1898?); University of Pittsburgh 20091209-kogyo-0314 (c. 1899); Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery 2011.11.362 (May 10, 1898); Japan Arts Council BK014-160 (?); The Walters Art Museum 95.268 (1899); The British Museum 1949,0409,0.49 (1899) |
| Reference Literature |
9/24/18
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