{"product_id":"1815-25-kabuki-actor-portraits-playbill-the-soga-brothers-revenge-by-utagawa-kunisada","title":"1815-25 Kabuki Actor Portraits \u0026 Playbill \"The Soga Brothers' Revenge\" By Utagawa Kunisada","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood antique condition overall. There is some insect damage consistent with age, along with very minimal staining and light water marks. The colors remain vivid and the printed lines sharp, preserving the visual appeal and historical value of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis original Edo-period illustrated Kabuki book was designed by \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eUtagawa Kunisada\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e during the late Bunka to early Bunsei era, approximately 1815–1825. Created before the artist adopted the name Toyokuni III, the work represents an early example of Kunisada's theatrical printmaking during the formative years of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe volume is devoted entirely to \u003cem\u003eSoga Mono\u003c\/em\u003e (曾我物), the famous cycle of plays based on the story of the Soga brothers, one of the most enduring revenge tales in Japanese history. The illustrations correspond to scenes from \u003cem\u003eKotobuki Soga no Taimen\u003c\/em\u003e (寿曽我対面), one of the most celebrated Kabuki adaptations of the legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story centers on the brothers Soga Gorō and Soga Jūrō, who dedicate their lives to avenging the murder of their father. Their tale became one of the most popular themes in Kabuki theater and remained a staple of New Year performances for centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book preserves an impressive cast of some of the greatest actors of the Edo period, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eMatsumoto Kōshirō V\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e as Yahata Saburō.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eIchikawa Danjūrō VII\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e as Kudo Suketsune.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eIchimura Uzaemon XI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e as Soga Gorō Tokimune.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eIchikawa Aragorō\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e as Kobayashi Asahina.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eBandō Mitsugorō III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eNakamura Utaemon III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e associated with the role of Lady Maizuru.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eOnoe Kikugorō III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e as the famous courtesan Oiso no Tora.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn especially interesting feature is the presence of hand-brushed actor identifications written by a historical owner across the upper margins, connecting the printed characters to the performers who portrayed them on stage. The volume also retains its colophon page with flowing \u003cem\u003ekuzushiji\u003c\/em\u003e text and official publisher marks from the Edo publishing house responsible for its production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorks of this type served as both souvenirs and reference books for Kabuki enthusiasts, allowing audiences to relive famous performances and follow the careers of their favorite actors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fascinating and historically significant example of early nineteenth-century Kabuki publishing, combining the artistry of Kunisada with the enduring popularity of the Soga brothers legend. Suitable for collectors of Japanese theater, actor prints, and Edo-period illustrated books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-center\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48442922434819,"sku":null,"price":6000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/m59817697215_6.jpg?v=1782005196","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/1815-25-kabuki-actor-portraits-playbill-the-soga-brothers-revenge-by-utagawa-kunisada","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}