SEPTEMBER 1978

                 
Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII (中村勘三郎) as Tetori Hantarô (手取り半太郎)

Play: Irezumi Chôhan (刺青奇遇)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/1978
Print Date: 09/10/78
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits I (Design 1)]
Daiichi-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 1 (第一期大首絵シリーズの1)
Personal Collection (ed, 45)

Note: This is the second printing (with seal 2) mounted on portions of the original keyblock.  The edition number of
45 appears to be that of both printings combined.  Color variants of this print (and possibly the earlier state) exist.
 
 
 
 

                   
[The Chrysanthemum Beauty] Kiku Bijin (菊美人)

Play: ?
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Print Date: Between 09/1978 and 02/1979 (this copy 09/1978 as it
accompanied the print of Bando Tamasaburô V below)
Series: [Bust Portraits I Daiichi-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu (第一期大首絵シリーズ)
Medium: Woodblock printed folder
Personal Collection (ed. ~250)
 
Note: This was the folder in which each of 9 Bust Portraits I series print
was issued and which used an old outline block.  The mon on the sleeve
would suggest that this is a kabuki actor, and indeed the mon is
reminiscent of that the crane mon used by the Bandô Hikosaburô line of
actors and certain other members of the Otowaya guild.  However, the
name of the actor and the role are not known at this time. 

                   
Bando Tamasaburô V (坂東玉三郎) as
Hantarô Nyôbô Onaka (半太郎女房お仲)

Play: Irezumi Chôhan (刺青奇遇)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/1978
Print Date: 09/10/78
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits I (Design 2)]
Daiichi-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 2 (第一期大首絵シリーズの2)
Personal Collection (ed. 36)
 
Note: This is the first printing with Seal 1.   The print was
photographed under conditions that make the skin tone and
background appear to be somewhat yellowed. 

                   
Bando Tamasaburô V (坂東玉三郎) as
Hantarô Nyôbô Onaka (半太郎女房お仲)

Play: Irezumi Chôhan (刺青奇遇)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/1978
Print Date: 09/10/78
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits I (Design 2)]
Daiichi-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 2 (第一期大首絵シリーズの2)
Image courtesy of Tsuruya-koukei.com (ed. 36)
 
Note: This is the second printing using different woodblocks for the
design of the costume and for the hair and employing Seal 2.  The edition
number of 36 appears to be that of both printings combined.  Color
variants of this print (and possibly the earlier state) exist.