About This Print

This print shows the actors (from right to left) Sawamura Tosshō II in the role of Hiranoya Kōjirō 平野屋幸三郎, Bandō Sanpachi V in the role of Tōji's Student (Teiji) Kane 藤次弟子兼, Ichikawa Kodanji IV in the role of Wakokubashi Tōji 和国橋藤次 and Ichimura Kakitsu IV in the role of Pickpocket (Kinchakukiri) Takemon no Tora 巾着切竹門虎 in the play Sandai banashi kōza no shinsaku (三題咄高座新作) written by Kawatake Mokuami and performed in February 1863 at the Ichimura 市村 theatre in Edo.

Sandai banashi (also seen written as sandai hanashi) are “three-subject stories” and are considered a genre of rakugo.  Sanshotei Karaku, is credited with the invention of sandai banashi. A sandai banashi storytelling club was established in Edo the early 1860s allowing amateurs to participate alongside professionals.<sup>1

1</sup> Rakugo: Japan’s Talking Art appearing in the journal Japan Echo Ozu CentennialVol. 31, No. 2, April 2004

The Actors in the Print

For background on the actors Sawamura Tosshō II, Bandō Sanpachi V, Ichikawa Kodanji IV, and Ichimura Kakitsu IV see their respective entries in the article The Kabuki Actor on this site.

Print Details

IHL Catalog	#195
Title	Sawamura Tosshō II, Bandō Sanpachi V, Ichikawa Kodanji IV and Ichimura Kakitsu IV [in the play Sandai Banashi Kōza no Shinsaku at the Ichimura Theater]  沢村訥升 (二代目), 坂東三八(五代目), 市川小団次 (四代目), 市村家橘 (四代目), 三題咄高座新作, 市村
Series	n/a
Artist	Utagawa Kunisada II (1823-1880)
Signature	国貞画 Kunisada ga inside red Toshidama 年玉枠 cartouche on each sheet
Seal	Toshidama
Publication Date	1863 (Bunkyū 3 文久 3), 2nd month [note: seal is upside down, as placed on print]
Publisher	Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (firm name Kinshōdō) seal 文 辻岡屋 bun, Tsujiokaya [Marks: seal 21-228; pub. ref. 548]
Carver	彫長 Horichō
Impression	excellent
Colors	excellent
Condition	good - Three separate panels, not attached at seams and not backed. Several wormholes, one running through actor's face in right panel, repaired on verso.  Some slight fraying at edges.
Genre	ukiyo-e; yakusha-e
Miscellaneous
Format	Vertical Oban Triptych
H x W Paper	14 x 9 1/2 (35.6 x 24.1 cm) each sheet
Collections This Print	The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum of Waseda University 100-5971, 100-5972, 100-5970; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 11.22306-8
Reference Literature