Kunisada: Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider  Kunisada: Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider  Kunisada: Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider

 Kunisada: Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider
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 Kunisada: Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider
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 Kunisada: Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider
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Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865)

A scene in the hengemono (transformation piece) "Kube Kiyoi Kumo no Itosuji", performed at the end of the drama "Kanzen chôaku tsuwamono no kao kagami". A play based on the story of Tsuchigumo, the spirit of the earth spider and the legendary noble warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu (also called Raikô), in a Kaomise performance to celebrate the start of the theatrical year, in the 11th month of 1837 at the Nakamura Theatre in Edo.

The actors and their roles: On the right Iwai Kumesaburô III as the young Kamuro Odamaki and Sawamura Tosshô I as Yorimitsu. In the centre Iwai Shijaku as Katsuragiyama no Tsuchigumo no sei, the spider woman (spirit of the evil spider from mount Katsuragi), in her deceitful appearance as beautiful courtesan and lover of Yorimitsu. On the left Ichikawa Komazô V as Usui no Sadamitsu, one of the Shitennô, the four bodyguards of Yorimitsu. In the stage background a giant spider-web.

Signature:Gototei Kunisada ga

Publisher: Yamaguchiya Tôbei (Kinkôdô), Edo

Censor: Kiwame

Date: 1837, 11th month

Size: Ôban triptych, c. 36.2 x 75 cm (overall)

Excellent impression and very good colours. Three separate sheets. Bottom and side margins slightly (and partly unevenly) trimmed. Some wormage, mainly in bottom and sides, paper thinnings and defects, all professionally very well restored. Very good overall condition.
Very rare triptych. ARC Ritsumeikan (Tokyo Metropolitan Library) N009-015 (01-03); Hankyu Bunka Coll. 1237-1/-2 (without 3). See also Kabuki 21, Nakamura-za.

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