Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 芳年 (1839-1892)
Title: Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Benkei in Kanjinchô Date:4/1890
Danjûrô IX grasps a scroll in his right hand, his presence completely filling the three sheets of the triptych, all background details omitted. He stands out against a deep lazuli-colored ground, all focus on his expressive visage. He is disguised as an itinerant priest, wearing the yamaboshi’s black hat and robe with fluffy white pompoms. From the famous play “Kanjincho”, which was also made into a film by the great Kurusawa. The plot involves Yoshitsune and his men attempting to sneak across an enemy border, all disguised as yamaboshi. At one point in the play, Benkei must pursuade the guard that they are collecting funds for a temple restoration, and he reads a convincing invented letter from a blank scroll. Here the scroll is seen in his hand. Considered one of Yoshitoshi’s great designs; these actor triptychs from the end of his life are considered some of his strongest work. The pompoms and cord feature blindprinting and the robe features metallic pigments. Provenance: Toshikata. Toshikata was one of Yoshitoshi’s foremost students. His collection included unpublished drawings, as well as prints in exceptionally early impressions, as here.
Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. Some areas of pigment transfer and large seals of Toshikata.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon Size: 36.5 x 24.2 cm (approx) each sheet
Literature: See Cole Collection, number 38. See Beauty & Violence, page 146, number 68. Keyes 516. Akita Museum of Modern Art, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi: The Last Ukiyo-e Artist of Genius, 1999, p. 25, no. 65. Yuriko Iwakiri, Yoshitoshi, 2014, pp. 194-195, no. 306. See Art Institute of Chicago; Harvard Art Museum, FAMSF.
Seal: Toshikata (each sheet) Signature: Oju Yoshitoshi ga
SKU: YOC076S
