Utagawa KunisadaⅠShitenno oedo no Kaburaya

A large format nishiki-e. Kunisada I was a popular ukiyo-e artist in early 19th century following in Toyokuni I’s footsteps. He is the ukiyo-e artist with the largest number of productions in the history of ukiyo-e. This picture is a three-piece set in large format based on a performance at Nakamura-za theater of Edo in November of Bunka 12 (1815), and shows Matsumoto Koshiro V (playing Daishiro), Ichikawa Danjuro VII (playing Hirai Yasumasa) and Bando Mitsugoro III (playing Chosaku) in stage costumes. Although Onoe Kikugoro III was not described in this scene, it was also his succession performance. In this performance these four popular actors were modeled after four loyalest retainers of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Koshiro V was drew in profile with his famous high nose vividly.