KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)

Shiro Takashi

Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Shiro Takashi
Signed: Kunichika hitsu
Series: 100 Roles of Danjuro IX
Publisher: Fukuda Kumajiro
Very good impression and colors. Album backing. Mica, burnishing and gaufrage effects.

Sold with a 8 1/2″ X 11″ copy of a photograph of Danjuro IX in this role

 

This piece was originally the Noh play: Koya Monogatari (The Madman at Koya)
A Noh play by Zeami

Shunmitsu, a young prince of the Hiramatsu family, resolves to become a monk to mourn for his father’s death. When the prince vanishes, Shiro of Takashi, a family retainer, goes off on a long journey to search for him. Due to the hardship of the search, Shiro loses his sanity. After wandering to many places as a madman, Shiro finally reaches the sacred mountain of Koya, where the prince resides as a monk. Without recognizing the prince, Shiro gives himself up to a dance in praise of the Mount Koya complex. The sacred prayers of the priests of Mount Koya re-unite Shiro and the prince.

Danjuro IX performed a dance version in November 1891 at the Kabuki-za theater.

Category:
Japanese Print Description

KUNICHIKA