Kunichika
1835-1900
Published: 1893
Description: Actor Onoe Kikugoro 5
in the role of Konoshita Tokichi, in the play Gion Sairei Shinkoki;
he has just defeated the character at the top, Matsumaga Daien, in a
game of go. The edge of the go board, upside down, just shows on Onoe's
shoulder, and unless you know, it does not appear to be a go print.
Series: "100 Roles of Onoe Kikugoro 5"
Comment: This is a deluxe edition, with
metallic pigments, some of which have oxidized with time. There are
several go prints based upon this story, and Onoe's crossed eyes are
part of Japanese theater tradition.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunichika
1835-1900
Description: woodprint (ukiyo-e)
Comment: Several of these Kunichika's
show the same play (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) with the same scene
(Tokichi presenting the go bowls to Daizen). See Pinckard, at Kiseido,
for complete details about the play, and this peculiar go scene.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunichika
1835-1900
Description: Actors in various roles,
possibly all concerning roles depicting the Soba Brothers. In some of
these go prints you really have to look for the go board.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunichika
1835-1900
Description: Another depiction of
Tokichi presenting the go bowls to Daizen. Kunichika must have really
loved this scene.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunihane
Published: 1886
Description: Another one of the many
"Go Board Tadanobus," this one showing our hero in action, as is the
case with most of the Tadanobu prints.
Comment: To see what was happening
right before the action started, see the third print by Chikanobu,
in this collection. In this print we see him not only clobbering his
enemies, but, apparently, also attempting to serve retribution to his
unfaithful mistress, Oguruma. The same situation is depicted in one of
the Kuniyoshi "Tadanobu" triptychs in this collection. Of all the go
prints, this Tadanobu go-board-as-a-weapon scene is depicted more than
any other subject matter.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kuninaga
Published: around the 1840's
Description: A somewhat rare triptych
depicting the story of Raiko and the Ground Spider Monster, or Demon.
Raiko and his loyal retainers enter the Spider's underground lair to
destroy him. The Demon sends goblins and ghosts to do battle, and
sometimes appears, himself, as a giant spider. Raiko prints seem to be
a little scarcer than most other go prints, and some of them are quite
rare.
Comment: Again, see the Pinckard notes
for the full story of Raiko.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunisada
1786 - 1864
Published: 1851-1852
Description: This is from chapter 3 of
"The Tales of Genji," another subject matter that appears in a number
of prints, especially by Kunisada/Toyokuni III. Genji is peeking from
behind a screen, at the woman whom he desires. There is another go
scene, as well, in the Genji novel.
Comment: The artists sometimes changed
their names, and after the death of Toyokuni the first, Kunisada
(related by marriage) changed his name to Toyokuni the third. This
particular print, in fact, is signed as Toyokuni the third.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunisada
1786 - 1864
Published: 1847-48
Title: "Poet"
Description: This is a very small
print, measuring only 6-3/8" x 4-3/8" and may have been a bookplate.
Most single sheet prints are "oban" size, which is 10" x 15" full size,
including margins. But the margins are often trimmed-down to the design,
or even into the design, so measurements vary. Thus, a 3-panel triptych
would measure around 15" x 30" if untrimmed.
Series: "100 Poems by 100 Poets"
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunisada
1786 - 1864
Published: around 1843-1845
Title: Genji Koari no Zu," from chapter
"Yadorigi"
Comment: This is another print from
"The Tales of Genji"
Description: This print is "chuban"
size, measuring a little over 7" x 10".
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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Kunisada
1786 - 1864
Published: 1849-1850
Description: A triptych version of
Genji, chapter three, peeking through the screen.
Copyright: Douglas Cable
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