Ryūsai Shigeharu (柳斎重春) (artist 1802 – 1852)

Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀) - right panel of a diptych - from the play Matsushita Kaheiji renga hyōban [松下嘉平治連歌評判]

Print

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Date:1829
Dimensions:10 in x 14.375 in (Overall dimensions) Medium:Japanese woodblock print
Inscription:Signed: Ryūsai Shigeharu ga
柳斎重春画
Publisher: Tenmaya Kihei
(Marks 536 - seal 21-193)
Links Prints of Japan - four prints from same scene by Ashiyuki
The British Museum - a crude kappazuri playbill for this same production in 1829 Description:This play was still being performed by 1870 as can be seen in a Yoshitaki print in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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We can identify this figure as a member of the Akechi Mitsuhide's Toki clan by the bluebell emblems decorating his robes, even though they are a reddish color here. The bluebell or kikyō is referred to as the Platycodon grandiflorum in Latin.

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This panel is situated to the right of a panel showing Arashi Rikan II as Mashiba Hisayoshi. The curatorial files at the British Museum state: "Mashiba Hisayoshi was the name used by kabuki theatrical convention for the character Hashiba Hideyoshi, that is, the military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536–98)." Takechi Mitsuhide is actually Akechi Mitsuhide.

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Elena Varshavskaya wrote: "On the 2nd day of the 6th month of the 10th year of the Tenshō era (21 June 1582), the warlord Oda Nobunaga, who controlled about one third of Japan, was attacked by his vassal Akechi Mitsuhide at the Honnōji temple in Kyoto. Overwhelmed by the larger forces of the attackers, Oda Nobunaga met his fate amidst the burning ruins of the temple. Akechi was not the only one to turn against his master. In Japan in the 16th century, as regional lords fought for political supremacy over the entire nation, such acts of treachery were common occurrences. Akechi's assault was different because it resulted in many significant changes in the political landscape of Japan. Nobunaga's death opened the way for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, another of his vassals, to establish hegemony over Japan. Hideyoshi, a samurai of modest origin, was endowed with extraordinary talents both as a military commander and as a politician. On joining Oda Nobunaga's service, Hideyoshi quickly became his trusted vassal. By the time of N obunaga' s sudden death, Hideyoshi was one of the most powerful warlords and influential political figures in Japan. The news of the fatal events in Kyoto reached Hideyoshi when he was fighting far away in the western part of the country. Understanding that an immediate victory over the 'traitor' would dramatically increase his chances of becoming Nobunaga's political heir, he hastened back to the capital. Eleven days after the Honnoji affair, Hideyoshi completely routed Akechi, who was killed by villagers as he fled the scene of the battle."
Related entities actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)
Nakamura Utaemon III (三代目中村歌右衛門) (actor)
Tenmaya Kihei (天満屋喜兵衛) (publisher)

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