106
Segawa Kikunojō III as Hanazono Gozen, the wife of Ōtomo no Kuronushi who was shown in the preceding number disguised, and in his own semblance in number 103. The rôle played by Kikunojō here is the same as that in which he is represented in number 104, and in both cases chrysanthemums are used in the design of the costume. In the present print the actor is carrying plum blossoms.
The coloring of the under kimono is faded pale blue with a design of chrysanthemums in rose with green stems. The obi is black. The outer kimono is white with red plum blossoms. The under garment is red and so is the textile that covers the tonsure. The comb, as usual, is in yellow and the foreground is yellow.
This is another of the apparently unique prints that we have been able to add to the previously listed works of Sharaku and we place it tentatively as the central sheet of a triptych with number 107 on its right. The left-hand sheet does not seem to have survived, even in a single impression; but attention must be called to the fact that five hosoye connected with this play show branches coming in at the top, while the undulating line of the ground on which the actors stand appears to be continuous. More will be said on this point under the succeeding numbers.
Hosoye. Slightly grayish ground with branches above. Signed: Sharaku.
The Art Institute of Chicago (Buckingham Collection).
107
Nakamura Noshio II probably as Ono no Komachi, the same rôle as that in which he is represented in number 102, and again in a costume decorated with cherry blossoms. In the print now under discussion he is standing beside the trunk of a tree one branch of which comes into the top of the picture, and is carrying plum blossoms in his hands. We believe
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