Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) Scene from the Play Sakura Gimiden, 1851. Oban Triptych.
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This unusual triptych by the most significant Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the mid nineteenth century commemorates the premiere of the play Sakura Gimiden in 1851. The true incident on which the play was based occurred in 1653 (the direct appeal). When it was dramatised, the names and details, even the era (Muromachi instead of Edo), were changed because of censorship by the shogunate government. For example, the head of the village Kiuchi Sogo, the evil lord Hotta Masanobu and the shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna became Asakura Tôgo, Orikoshi Masatomo and Ashikaga Yoshimasa when it was performed on stage.
Sakura Gimiden is an unusual Kabuki play about political protest. In fact it is the only play of its kind, and concerns the plight of farmers subjugated and made poor through crippling taxes imposed on them by corrupt samurai officials.
The hero of the story is Kiuchi Sogo, the mayor of a village whose character is based on an historical figure of the same name. The basic premise was rather simple. Farmers in 17th century Edo had banded together to protest at their harsh treatment at the hands of local lords. The behaviour of the members of each social stratum was strictly controlled by the shogunate government and it was forbidden for commoners to appeal to higher authorities, irrespective of the merits of their case. However, the poverty in Sakura was so desperate that mayor Sogo, decided to appeal to the shogun although his action would automatically mean the death penalty for not only himself but also his family members. Sogo visits his family for the last time and his children cling to him and try to stop him from leaving. Sogo is a loving father, torn between his desire to stay with them and his commitment to leave and see his duty through to its fatal end. In order to spare his family he gives his wife divorce papers, but she refuses to accept them and chooses to die with him.
The print is a scene from the capture and torture of the virtuous mayor. In the original script, the ghost of Sogo returns and wreaks terrible revenge upon his tormentors and it is still traditional to set up a shrine at the back of the theatre when the play is performed. The left sheet shows Sogo’s (Togo) wife Omine played by Onoe Kikujiro. Togo himself is played here in the centre by Ichikawa Kodanji.
Kuniyoshi theatre triptychs are uncommon especially in such good condition. This example is outstanding and has great value because of the unique portrayal of a workers' revolt. Examples of this print are rare and the one or two in Japanese collections are in poor condition. Colour, condition and impression are all fine. Backed with Japanese album paper.
72 x 36 cm.
