KUNIYOSHI (1797 -1861)

Kagekiyo

Danjuro VIII as Akushichibei Kagekiyo in Kagekiyo
Signed: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga
Publisher: Jusaburo
1849

Very good impression and colors. Put down.

Danjuro VIII was a son of Danjuro VII.

The play Kagekiyo features a dramatic prison break.
It is interesting to note that this is the play that, a generation earlier, contributed to Danjuro VIIs banishment from the Edo stage for having too ostentatious a (lifestyle and) costume (most specifically riveted armour in this play).  Danjuro was the most popular of all 19th century actors and, from fear of his intense popularity the government had him banished from Edo.  He went to Osaka, but retired as Danjuro and performed as Ichikawa Ebizo.  The populace soon forced his return to the Edo stage.  When, as Ebizo, Danjuro VII was recalled back to the Edo stage, Kagekiyo was his opening performance.

Category:
Japanese Print Description

KUNIYOSHI