Title
Nakamura Utaemon IV as the ghost of Iga Shikibunojō Mitsumune with Iga no Kotarō Asayuki in the play 'Meiyo jinsei roku'
1852
Artist
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Details
- Other Title
- Nakamura Utaemon IV as the ghost of Ige Shikinobu jo no Mitsumune with Iga no Kotaro Asayuki
- Place where the work was made
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Japan
- Date
- 1852
- Media category
- Materials used
- woodblock print; ink and colour on paper
- Dimensions
- 35.0 x 23.5 cm
- Credit
- Yasuko Myer Bequest Fund 2019
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 139.2019
- Copyright
- Artist information
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Utagawa Kunisada/Toyokuni III
Works in the collection
- Share
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About
Nakamura Utaemon IV (1798–1852) was a kabuki actor who excelled in performing both male and female roles. This print shows a moment of high drama in a kabuki play in which Nakamura Utaemon IV plays the ghost of Iga Shikibu Jinnojo Mitsumune confronting Iga no Kotaro Tomoyuki (played by Nakamura Fukusuke I), a family member who arranged his death. The unearthly status of the ghost is revealed by the figure’s bluish translucence and the accompanying flame, an indicator of the supernatural.
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Places
Where the work was made
Japan
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Exhibition history
Shown in 1 exhibition
Japan Supernatural, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 02 Nov 2019–08 Mar 2020