Hosoban Collection

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Kajiwara Genta no Kagetoki (?), in the Play Myoto-giku... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Kajiwara Genta no Kagetoki (?), in the Play Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the Play Kuruwa no Hana Katsuragi no Kane, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the third Month, 1775, Japan, c

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Danc... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Dance Sequence "Sono Utsushi-e Matsu ni Kaede" (A Shadow-Picture of Pine and Maple)

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Soga no Goro Disguised as a Komuso in the Play... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Soga no Goro Disguised as a Komuso in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1771, Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Ono Sadakuro in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Ono Sadakuro in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Asahina Saburo in the Play Iro Maki-e Soga no Sakazuki... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Asahina Saburo in the Play Iro Maki-e Soga no Sakazuki, Performed at the Morita Theater in the First Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro V as Momonoi Wakasanosuke (right), and Nakamura Nakazo I as... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro V as Momonoi Wakasanosuke (right), and Nakamura Nakazo I as Kakogawa Honzo (left), in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Soga no Juro Sukenari Disguised as the Proefessional Jes... c. 1769. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Soga no Juro Sukenari Disguised as the Proefessional Jester Senraku (?) in the Play Soga Moyo Aigo no Wakamatsu (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater ()

The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho Konegen Butai (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?)... c1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the First Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Otani Hiroji III, Probably as Ukishima Daihachi in the Play Shinasadame Soma... c. 1770. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Hiroji III, Probably as Ukishima Daihachi in the Play Shinasadame Soma no Mombi (Comparing Merits: Festival Day at Soma)

The Actor Otani Hiroji III as Onio Shinzaemon (?) in the Play Bunshin Sugatami Soga (?)... c. 1765. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Hiroji III as Onio Shinzaemon (?) in the Play Bunshin Sugatami Soga (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1765 (?), Japan, c. 1765

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kakogawa Honzo in Komuso Attire in the Play Kanadehon... c. 1783. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kakogawa Honzo in Komuso Attire in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1783, Japan, c. 1783

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Kunii Kurando in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori... c. 1778. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Kunii Kurando in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori, Performed at te Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1778, Japan, c. 1778

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya-bashira Iwao no Butai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Seventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Otani Hiroemon III as Shinoda Jirodayu in the Play Keisei Momiji no Uchikake... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Hiroemon III as Shinoda Jirodayu in the Play Keisei Momiji no Uchikake, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Seventh Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Hiranoya Tokubei (?) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Hiranoya Tokubei (?) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Third Month, 1773 (?), Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as the Thunder God, an Incarnation of Kan Shojo, in the Play... c.1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as the Thunder God, an Incarnation of Kan Shojo, in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kazusa no Gorobei Tadamitsu in the Play Kitekaeru... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kazusa no Gorobei Tadamitsu in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed... c. 1789. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Monther, 1789, Japan, c. 1789

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Fifth Month, 1771 (?), Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kakogawa Honzo, from the play "Kanadehon Chushin... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kakogawa Honzo, from the play "Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura, " performed at the Nakamura Theater in the ninth month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Sakura-maru in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Sakura-maru in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Hatsu-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Nakayama Kojuro VI as Ko no Moronao in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura...c. 1786. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakayama Kojuro VI as Ko no Moronao in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1786, Japan, c. 1786

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo III as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura... c. 1786. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo III as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1786, Japan, c. 1786

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura... c. 1783. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1783, Japan, c. 1783

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as the Hairdresser Jirokichi in the Play Shida Choja... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as the Hairdresser Jirokichi in the Play Shida Choja-bashira, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eighth Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Matsuo-maru (?) in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai... c. 1779. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Matsuo-maru (?) in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Fourth Month, 1779 (?), Japan, c. 1779

The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as the Hairdresser Obana Saizaburo in the Play Koi Musume... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as the Hairdresser Obana Saizaburo in the Play Koi Musume Mukashi Hachijo, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo in the Play Kite Hajime Hatsugai... c.1774. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo in the Play Kite Hajime Hatsugai Soga, Performed at the Morita Theater in the First Month, 1774, Japan, c. 1774

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo in the Play Hana-zumo Genji... c. 1775
The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo in the Play Hana-zumo Genji Hiiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Yushichi (?) in the Play Keisei Momiji no Uchikake (?)... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Yushichi (?) in the Play Keisei Momiji no Uchikake (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the Seventh Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Kajiwara Genta Kagetoki in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Kajiwara Genta Kagetoki in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Watanabe Kiou Takiguchi (?) in the Play Nue no Mori... c. 1770. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Watanabe Kiou Takiguchi (?) in the Play Nue no Mori Ichiyo no Mato (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1770 (?), Japan, c. 1770

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro II as Kagekiyo Disguised as Omi Yawatanosuke in the Play... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro II as Kagekiyo Disguised as Omi Yawatanosuke in the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Takenuki Goro in the Play Eho Soga Nen-nen-goyomi... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Takenuki Goro in the Play Eho Soga Nen-nen-goyomi, Performed at the Morita Theater in the First Month, 1771, Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Retired Emperor Sutoku in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Retired Emperor Sutoku in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Yoshimine no Munesada in the Play Kuni no Hana Ono no... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Yoshimine no Munesada in the Play Kuni no Hana Ono no Itsumoji, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1771, Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Akita Jonosuke in the Play Onna Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Akita Jonosuke in the Play Onna Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Nakajima Mihoemon II as Bomon no Saisho Kiyotada in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakajima Mihoemon II as Bomon no Saisho Kiyotada in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as the Palanquin Bearer Gohei in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as the Palanquin Bearer Gohei in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Second Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

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"Hosoban: A Glimpse into the World of Traditional Japanese Theater" Step back in time and immerse yourself in the captivating world of hosoban, a form of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. These intricate artworks provide us with a window into the vibrant theater scene of 18th and 19th century Japan. In one print, we witness six actors lost in their dreams, each envisioning themselves as characters from the renowned series "Spring Plays of 1804: The Pillow of. . ". Created by Utagawa Toyokuni I, these prints capture the essence of theatrical storytelling that captivated audiences during this era. Another striking piece showcases Ichikawa Ebizo as Usui Arataro Sadamitsu in the Shibaraku scene from "Sei. . " (1796). Utagawa Kunimasa's artistry brings to life Ebizo's intense portrayal, leaving us mesmerized by his talent. Nakajima Wadaemon takes center stage as Migawari no Jizo, the Master of the House. Toshusai Sharaku's depiction from 1794 transports us to an era where theater was not just entertainment but also a reflection of society itself. Sakata Hangoro III shines brightly as Abumizuri no Iwazo in Koriyama. Toshusai Sharaku captures his character's emotions with such precision that we can almost feel his presence on stage. Matsumoto Koshiro IV embodies Minagawa Shin'emon, a Boatman from Reisengasak. . His powerful performance resonates through Toshusai Sharaku's artwork and leaves an indelible mark on our hearts. Ichikawa Yaozo III enchants us as Bunji Yasukata - The Sparrow Seller. In this masterpiece by Toshusai Sharaku, we are transported to another world where reality intertwines seamlessly with the stage.