Japanese Print "Sawamura Söjürö II as Shunkan and Azuma Tözö II as O-yasu" by Katsukawa Shunsho
Artist:Katsukawa Shunsho
Title:Sawamura Söjürö II as Shunkan and Azuma Tözö II as O-yasu
Date:1768
Details:More information...
Source:Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description:
According to Timothy T. Clark and Osamu Ueda, this print depicts the actor Sawamura Söjüro II on the right in the role of the priest Shunkan while Azuma Tözö II, a young onnagata (female impersonator), takes the role of Oyasu in the play “Hime Komatsu Nenohi- no Asobi ” (Outing to Pick Pine Seedlings on the Rat-Day of the New Year) performed at the Ichimura-za Theater in the ninth month of 1768. In 1177, the Höshöji Temple (in Kyoto) monk Shunkan was exiled to Kikaijima Island for plotting against the powerful Taira clan. This tragic historical event inspired a medieval Nö play that would later be developed into even more intricate Bunraku (Puppet Theater) and Kabuki performances. In the Kabuki play, Shunkan escapes and travels to Horagadake to protect the emperor's concubine (Kogö no Tsubone). A village girl named Oyasu assists him. Curious about the identity of the secretive Shunkan and the woman who is about to give birth, Oyasu attempts to prove her loyalty to them by swearing an oath of secrecy on Shunkan's sword, but Shunkan, who is afraid of endangering the mission and possibly their lives, stops her in mid vow. However, as he is doing so, he catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror. The extent to which he has aged while on Kikaijima shocks him into sharing his tale of exile with her. Oyasu then acts as a midwife, ensuring that the emperor's son is born safely. (from “Capturing Actor’s Spirit/Shunsho” exhibition 1/15/2009-)
