EHON TAIKÔKI
(繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)

aka EHÔ TAIKÔKI (恵寶太功記)
aka AMAGASAKI KANKYO (尼ヶ崎閑居)
aka TAIJÛ (太十)

                 
Sawamura Tosshi VII (沢村訥子; 澤村訥子) as
Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀) disguised as the farmer Tajû (太十)
 
Nakamura Matagorô I (中村又五郎; 中村叉五郎) as Takechi Jûjirô (武智十次郎)

Plays: Hototogisu  (不如帰); Adesugata On'namaiginu (艶姿女舞衣); Ehon Taikôki  (絵本太功記);
Teki Kyôkaku Aizukotetsu (適侠客会津小鉄)
Performance Place: Meiji-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/14/06
Print Date: 06/14/06
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 

                 
Ichikawa Danzo VII (市川団蔵; 市川團蔵) as Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)
 
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as Takechi Jûjirô (武智十次郎)
 
Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎) as Hatsugiku (初菊)

Play: Ehon Taikôki  (絵本太功記); On'na Kusunoki (女楠); Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi
(与話情浮名横櫛); Setsugekka (雪月花)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/03/09
Artist: ?
Print Date: 06/04/09
Medium: Woodblock printed sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 

                 
Nakamura Kichiemon I (中村吉右衛門) as
Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀) disguised as the farmer Tajû (太十) 
 
Plays: Tonosama Kanji (殿様勘次); Ehon Taikôki  (絵本太功記); Kaji (借児);
Kumo no Ito Oyozume Banashi (蜘糸宿直噺)
Performance Place: Ichimura-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 07/07/10
Print Date: 07/10/10
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
Note: The cover also depicts Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) and a second actor in unknown roles.
 

                 
?  as  ?
 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Andô Tetsuya (安藤鉄弥)
 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)
 
Sawamura Sôjûrô VII
(沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎) as
Misao-no-mae (操の前)
 
Sawamura Sônosuke I
(沢村宗之助; 澤村宗之助) as
Takechi Jûjirô Mitsuyoshi (武智十次郎光義)
 
Plays: Sukotchi Dansu (スコッチダンス);
[Kinno Ushiseki] Shichikiochi
([勤王史蹟]七卿落); Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記);
Sôma no Furugosho (相馬古御所); Echigo
Jishi (越後獅子); Teisô (貞操); Tamamo- no-
Mae Asahi no Tamoto (玉藻前旭袂)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/21/12
Print Date: 09/21/12
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Personal Collection
 
Note: Two similar sujigaki exist for these
productions.  The plays listed are the same
except for the addition of the Sukotchi Dansu. 
However, the cast lists are slightly different.  It is
possible that this sujigaki was used for matinee
performances and the other one was used for
evening performances, as the cast list for the
other sujigaki is more high-powered and is also
identical to banzukes of evening performances
which lack reference to Sukotchi Dansu, Teisô
(貞操), and Tamamo- no-Mae Asahi no Tamoto.
 
 
 
 

                 
 ? as ?
 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Andô Tetsuya (安藤鉄弥)
 
Ichikawa Sadanji II (市川左団次) as Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)
 
Onoe Baikô VI (尾上 梅幸) as Misao-no-mae (操の前)
 
Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎) as
Takechi Jûjirô Mitsuyoshi (武智十次郎光義)
 
Plays: [Kinno Ushiseki] Shichikiochi
([勤王史蹟]七卿落); Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記);
Sôma no Furugosho (相馬古御所); Echigo
Jishi (越後獅子); Teisô (貞操); Tamamo- no-
Mae Asahi no Tamoto (玉藻前旭袂)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/21/12
Print Date: 09/21/12
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
Note: See the note to the preceding entry.
 

                   

Plays: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太閤記); Adesugata
On'namaiginu (艶姿女舞衣); Ninin Bakama (二人袴);
Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi (與話情浮名横櫛);
Gion no Yo Zakura (祇園の夜櫻)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/15
Print Date: 04/02/15
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki  cover
Personal Collection
 
Note: The cover depicts Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as Takasago Jôbei (高砂尉兵衛), 
Ichikawa Kodanji V (市川小団次; 市川小團次) as
Sumiyoshi Kichisaemon (住吉左衞門), and 
Sawamura Sônosuke I (沢村宗之助; 澤村宗之助)
as Umanosuke (右馬之助) in Ninin Bakama
(二人袴); and  Onoe Matsusuke IV (尾上松助) as
Kômori Yasu (蝙蝠安),  Sawamura Sôjûrô VII
(沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎) as Mukôkizu Yosaburô
(向疵与三郎) [Kirare Yosa (切られ与三)], and 
Onoe Baikô VI (尾上梅幸) as Otomi (お富) in
Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi
(與話情浮名横櫛).
 
 

Nakamura Kichiemon I (中村吉右衛門) as
Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (絵本大功記)
Performance Place: Ichimura-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/1915
Print Date: 07/01/15
Artist: Terasawa Kôtarô (寺澤孝太郎)
Publication: Yakusha-e (Shin Nigao)
(新似顔), Vol. 2
Personal Collection

Onoe Kikujirô III (尾上菊次郎 ) as
Hatsugiku (初菊)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (絵本大功記)
Performance Place: Ichimura-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/1915
Print Date: 07/01/15
Artist: Terasawa Kôtarô (寺澤孝太郎)
Publication: Yakusha-e (Shin Nigao)
(新似顔), Vol. 2
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Takechi Jûjirô (武智十次郎)

Play: Ehon Taikôki
(絵本大功記) [Taijû (太十)]
Performance Place: Ichimura-za,Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/1915
Print Date: 08/01/15
Artist: Yamamura Kôka (山村耕花)
Publication: Yakusha-e (Shin Nigao)
(新似顔), Vol. 3
Personal Collection

                 
Morita Kan'ya XIII (守田勘弥) as Hisayoshi (久吉)
 
Ichikawa Ennosuke II (市川猿之助) as Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)
 
Ichimura Kamezo III (市村亀蔵; 市村龜蔵) as Takechi Jûjirô (武智十次郎)
 
Plays: Inukubô (犬公方); Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記); Ningyô no Ie (人形の家); Seiyô Butô (西洋舞踏);
Kotobuki Utsu Bozaru (壽靭猿)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/14/17
Print Date: 09/1917?
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as   
Takechi Jubei Mitsuhide
(武智十兵衛光秀)

Play:  Ehon Taikoki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place:  Yokohama-za,
Yokohama
Performance Date:  09/1918
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo
(藤澤龍雄; 藤沢竜雄)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Personal Collection

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as    
Takechi Jubei Mitsuhide 
(武智十兵衛光秀)

Play:  Ehon Taikoki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place:  Yokohama-za,
Yokohama
Performance Date:  09/1918
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo (藤澤龍雄;
藤沢竜雄)
Courtesy of FujiArts.com

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as   
Takechi Jubei Mitsuhide (武智十兵衛光秀)


 
Play:  Ehon Taikoki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place:  Yokohama-za, Yokohama
Performance Date:  09/1918
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo (藤澤龍雄;
藤沢竜雄)
Medium: Woodblock print
[Fujisawa Accordion Album Set #1]
Personal Collection
 
 
 

Ichikawa Chûsha VII (市川中車) as
Mitsuhide (光秀)
         
Play: Ehon Taikôki
(繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/03/19
Print Date: 05/1919?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
(千代 栄劇彩)
Personal Collection

Note: This design was posthumously
reissued in a slightly different color
scheme when Chûsha VII reprised this
role at the Meiji-za in September 1922.
 
 
 
 

            
            Ichikawa Sadanji II (市川左団次; 市川左團次)
            as Hisayoshi (久吉)
 
            Play: Ehon Taikôki
            (繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)
            Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
            Performance Date: 05/03/19
            Print Date: 05/1919?
            Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
            Series: Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
            (千代 栄劇彩)
            Personal Collection

            
            Sawamura Sojuro VII (:沢村宗十郎) as
            Hatsugiku (初菊)
 
            Play: Ehon Taikôki
            (繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)
            Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
            Performance Date: 05/03/19
            Print Date: 05/1919?
            Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
            Series: Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
            (千代 栄劇彩)
            Personal Collection

            
            Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as
            Takechi Jûjirô (武智十次郎)
 
            Play: Ehon Taikôki
            (繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)
            Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
            Performance Date: 05/03/19
            Print Date: 05/1919?
            Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
            Series: Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
            (千代 栄劇彩)
            Personal Collection

            
            Kataoka Ichizô IV  (片岡市蔵) as
            Masakiyo (正清)
            
            Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)
            Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
            Performance Date: 05/03/19
            Print Date: 05/1919?
            Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
            Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
            (千代 栄劇彩)
            Image courtesy of Fuji Arts
 

                 
Plays: Kaikai no Jyokotoba (開會の序詞); Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki  (鬼一法眼三略絵巻);
Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi (碁太平記白石噺); Takatoki (高時); Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi
(與話情浮名横櫛); Ehon Taikôki  (繪本太閤記); Modoribashi (戻橋); Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki
(双蝶々曲輪日記)
Performance Place: Yuraku-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  12/28-30/21
Print Date: 12/1921?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 
 

              
Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (沢村宗十郎;  澤村宗十郎) as
Takechi Jûjirô Mitsuyoshi (武智十次郎 光義)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記) 
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/01/22
Print Date: 1950 or later
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Meifu Miyage Geki no Omokage
(冥府苞苴劇容彩)  (#5)
Medium: ?
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: It is unclear if this is a woodblock print, a watercolor
drawing, or a hand-colored keyblock print for an
unpublished design. 

This is a curious work.  Although the cartouche identifies
the actor as Sawamura Sônosuke I (沢村宗之助;
澤村宗之助), I can find no evidence that  Sônosuke I,
who was primarily a onnagata, ever played the role of
Takechi Jûjirô Mitsuyoshi.   Sôjûrô VII, however, did,
starting with a production at the Teikoku Gekijô in
September 1912.  In both the September 1912 and
January 1922 productions, Sônosuke I played 
opposite Sôjûrô VII as Takechi Jûjirô Mitsuyoshi's
betrothed, Jûjirô Hatsukiku (十次郎妻初菊).  Gakô
was likely working from a photograph which he
misread and inadvertently reversed the two actors
in the two roles.  That Gakô thought the actor was
Sônosuke I is unmistakable given how the cartouche
is written and by the fact that he noted that Sônosuke
I died on April 7, 1924 at age 39.
 

 
 

                 
Plays: Urami no Omote (怨恨の面); Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記); Ayatsuri Sanbasô (操り三番叟);
Shichiya no Kura Kokoro no Irekae (質屋土蔵魂入替)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date:  01/01/22
Print Date: 01/1922?
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 

Ichikawa Chùsha VII (市川中車) as
Mitsuhide (光秀)
          
Play: Ehon Taikòki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place: Meiji-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/05/22
Print Date: 09/1922?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
(千代 栄劇彩)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: This design (lacking Kunisada's
signature and seal, no doubt because
Kunisada had died in 1920) was originally
issued in a slightly different color scheme
circa May 1919 when Chùsha VII played
this role at the Kabuki-za.
 
 
 
 

                   
Ichikawa Chûsha VII (市川中車) as Takechi Mitsuhide
(武智光秀) disguised as the farmer Tajû (太十)

Play:  Ehon Taikôki (絵本大功記; 絵本大功記)
Performance Place: Asakusa Shochiku-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/01/25
Print Date: 1926
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Series: Sôsaku Hanga: Shunsen Nigao-e Shû
(創作版画 春仙似顔集) (#17)
Personal Collection

Note: Chûsha VII first played Mitsuhide in this play in Tokyo
at the Kabuki-za in May 1919.  Prior to his 1925 perform-
ance, he also played this role at the Meiji-za in September
1922, and at the Hongô-za in April 1924.  It is possible that
Shunsen based this print on one of those earlier performances.
 
 
 

Plays: Maimôsu Iro no Tanemaki (舞奏いろの蒔種); Ehon Taikôki  (本太功記);
Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (義経千本櫻); Rakuhoku no Aki (洛北の秋);
Sono Kouta Yume mo Yoshiwara (権八小紫其小唄夢廓)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date:  11/01/25
Print Date: 11/1925?
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 
 

                    
Plays: Ehon Taikôki (絵本太功記); Meihitsudomo no Matahei (名筆吃又平);
Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami (桂川連理柵);  Imoseyama Onna Teikin (妹背山婦女庭訓)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  07/31/26
Print Date: 07/1926?
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Shôchiku Ôtani Library
 
 
 

Ichikawa Chûsha VII (市川中車) as
Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記) (Act X)
Performance Place: Meiji-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/01/29
Print Date: 1950 or later
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Meifu Miyage Geki no Omokage
(冥府苞苴劇容彩)  (#18)
Medium: ?
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: It is unclear if this is a woodblock print, a watercolor
drawing, or a hand-colored keyblock print for an
unpublished design.  Chûsha VII died on July 12, 1936 at
age 77.  He first played the role of Takechi Mitsuhide in
Tokyo at the Kabuki-za in May 1919.  Although Chûsha
II's final Tokyo appearance in this role was at the Kabuki-
za in November 1931, it is possible that Gakô based
this print on one of Chûsha VII's prior performances.
 
 
 

Play: Ehon Taikoki (絵本大功記)
Print Date: c. 1932-1933
Artist: Kojima Gyokuhô (児嶋玉鳳)
Series: [One Hundred Songs Illustrated]
Uta-e Hyakuban (歌絵百)
Music Style: Gidayû Bushi (義太夫節)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 

                   
Cover for Taijû (太十) [? and ?]

Play: Taijû (太十) [Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)]
Print Date: 1936
Artist: Miyake Kôhaku (三宅凰白)
Series: Kohaku Kabuki-e (凰白歌舞伎絵)
Medium: Machine printed
Personal Collection

                   
Jûjirô (重次郎)

Play: Taijû (太十) [Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)]
Print Date: 1936
Artist: Miyake Kôhaku (三宅凰白)
Series: Kohaku Kabuki-e (凰白歌舞伎絵)
Personal Collection

Note:  The official title for this print is "Dôgyô Taijû no Jûjirô
(童形太十の重次郎)."
 
 
 

Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀) disguised as the farmer Tajû (太十)

Play: Amagasaki Kankyo (尼ヶ崎閑居),
Act X of Ehon Taikôki (絵本大功記)
Date: 1954
Artist: Ohashi Gekkô (大橋月皎)
Series: [Woodblock Prings of Famous Stories of Kabuki]
Meikyôgen; Kabuki Mokuhangashu (名狂言  歌舞伎木版画集)  Series 2
Personal Collection
 
Note: A process set for this print is in the Karl Collection.
 
 
 

                 
Hatsugiku-D (初菊)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)
Print Date: 1978 (ed. 30)
Artist: Nishizawa Shizuo (西澤静男)
Medium: Screen print with aquatint
*Image courtesy of the National Museum of Asian Art

 
 
 

                 
[Awa Jûruri Puppet] Awa Jûruri Deku
(阿技浄瑠璃木偶)
Taikôki no Mitsuhide (太功記の光秀)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Hayashi Korô (林鼓浪)
Medium: Woodblock printed postcard
Series: Meibutsu Hanga; Awa Odori to Deko
(名物版画; 阿波おどりとでこ)
Personal Collection

Nakamura Ganjirô I (中村鴈治郎) as
Takechi Jûjirô (武智十次郎)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: c. 1913-1919
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Woodblock printed postcard
Image courtesy of FujiArts.com

Note: The only record I could find of
Ganjirô I performing in Tokyo when
Shunsen was active making prints was
at the Shintomi-za in May 1926.
Stylistically, however, the print looks
like it was made a decade earlier.

                   
Jujirô (十次郎)

Play:  Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記), Act 10
Performance Place: [Bunraku Theatre]?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection
 

           
Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)
         
Play: Ehon Taikôki (絵本大功記)
Performance Place: Bunraku-za (文楽座)
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Saito Seijurô (斎藤清二郎)
Medium: Woodblock printed postcard
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 

                           
        [May]
   
        Play: Ehon Taikoki
        ((繪本太功記; 絵本大功記)
        Print Date: ?
        Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
        Series: Shibai Mitate
        Jūni-Kagetsu
        (芝居見立十二ヶ月)
        Medium: Woodblock printed
        pochibukuro
        Personal Collection
 

                 
Hatsugiku-A (初菊)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)
Print Date: ? (pre-October 1983)
Artist: Nishizawa Shizuo (西澤静男)
Medium: Etching (ed. 30)
 
Note:  In lieu of actual image of the print, I have used a lithographic
reproduction of the print included in the 1983 Nishizawa portfolio
"Bunraku: Gensō-teki jōnen no sekai (文楽: 幻想的情念の世界)."
 
 
 

                 
Misao (操)

Play: Ehon Taikôki (繪本太功記)
Print Date: ? (pre-October 1983)
Artist: Nishizawa Shizuo (西澤静男)
Medium: ?
 
Note:  In lieu of actual image of the print, I have used a lithographic
reproduction of the print included in the 1983 Nishizawa portfolio
"Bunraku: Gensō-teki jōnen no sekai (文楽: 幻想的情念の世界)."