Shunkōsai Hokushū (春好斎北洲) (artist ca 1808 – 1832)
Nakamura Utaemon III (中村歌右衛門) as Osono (おその) disguised as a komuso (a traveling mendicant monk)
03/1825
10 in x 14.75 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese color woodblock print
Signed: Shunkōsai Hokushū ga
春好斎北洲画
Artist's seal: Hokushū
Publishers: Ariwaradō Chūbei (Marks 015 - seals 24-087 - on the fan handle)
Waseda University
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Hankyu Culture Foundation
Lyon Collection - Utaemon III as the as the fencing master Kyōguku no Takumi from this series
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery This print is from the series of 5 prints, Hits of a Lifetime of Kyōgen (Issei ichidai atari kyōgen - 一世一代当狂言) issued for the "farewell performance" of Shikan (Nakamura Utaemon III) - who in fact continued acting under another name. Utaemon III in the role of Osono in the play Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi performed at the Kado Theater in 3/1825.
****
Illustrated in:
1) Ikeda Bunko, Kamigata yakusha-e shūsei (Collected Kamigata Actor Prints), vol. 1, Ikeda Bunko Library, Osaka 1997, no. 164.
2) Kabuki Heroes of the Osaka Stage 1780 to 1830 by C. Andrew Gerstle, p. 253. It says there that these 5 prints in the shape of a fame "...are among the finest works in Hokushū's oeuvre. Here Shika plays Osono, displaying his famous versatility in female dance roles. Osono is a strong character who is seeking to avenge the murder of her father by Kyōgoku Takumi..."
There are two other prints from this series of 5 in the Lyon Collection - see numbers 355 and 1233.
Nakamura Utaemon III (三代目中村歌右衛門) (actor)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Kyōto-Osaka prints (kamigata-e - 上方絵) (genre)
Ariwaradō Chūbei (有原堂忠兵衛) (publisher)