Utagawa Toyokuni I (初代歌川豊国) (artist 1769 – 02/24/1825)
Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as number three (三) from a series of 5 Chivalrous Men
1810
9.875 in x 14.625 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Toyokuni ga (豊国画)
Publisher: Harimaya Shinshichi
(Marks 097 - seal 01-002)
Number 3: 三
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston -pentaptych of otokodate by Kunikazu
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - otokodate with flutes and swords by Sadayoshi
Waseda University - Karigane Bunshichi from this series
Waseda University - another example from this series, number 2 There are two other prints from this series of otokodate in the collection of Waseda University. These figures can often be identified by their sword along with a bamboo flute. This is not always the case, but is frequently enough to make this iconographic clue credible.
All three examples by the same publisher are wearing the same robes with a bamboo motif. While the condition of this print from the Lyon Collection is not pristine, the robe has maintained more of its original coloration than of the two other examples at Waseda University. All three are wearing the summer obis with the same pattern, too. The sheaths and hilts of each of their swords are the same. The sheaths are designed with the cracked ice motif.
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The otokodate frequently carried shakuhachi flutes both for playing and to as symbols of their authority because they often used them as weapons. In this image the 'puppet' is carrying it on his back and can be seen partially poking out near his right shoulder. (JSV)
Harimaya Shinshichi (播磨屋新七) (publisher)
Nakamura Utaemon III (三代目中村歌右衛門) (actor)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Otokodate - chivalrous men (男伊達) (genre)