初代嵐橘三郎　（二代目嵐吉三郎）　の惟高親王|The Actor Arashi Kitsusaburō I (Kichisaburō II) as Prince Koretaka

Shunkōsai Hokushū

1821 · Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk · Asian Art

The renowned Osaka actor Kitsusaburō I (best known as Rikan I, 1769–1821) is shown as Prince Koretaka, whose character was based on an actual member of the late ninth-century Heian court, but who was always represented more heroically in Kabuki plays. Grandly posed on a raised mat, he leans on a black lacquer armrest topped with a tiger pelt and decorated with tachibana (mandarin orange) patterns, referring to the actor’s newly acquired crest. The hokku (17-syllable verse), by the actor himself, refers to the character’s retirement in Ono Village, near Mount Hiei: Sakura chiru Ono ni minori no wakaba kana As cherry blossoms scatter at Ono, new leaves will appear, just as Buddha teaches.

Artist

Shunkōsai Hokushū

Date

1821

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Miki and Sebastian Izzard, in honor of James C. Y. Watt, 2011