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The Prints

Print 8-1. Tokichi Led into Daizen's Presence

Chuban polyptych by Yoshitaki, published by Ishikawaya Wasuke, ca. 1870s.

Perhaps this was originally a pentaptych, with another panel at the left. The actors, from right to left (in Japanese fashion), are Ichikawa Udanji I as Yukihime, Onoe Tamizo II as Daizen, Ichikawa Yaozo as Daizen's brother, and Nakamura Komanosuke as Tokichi. This work is very typical of the Osaka style of print design.

Print 8-2. Tokichi Presents the Go Bowl to Daizen

Oban triptych by Kunisada, published by Ebiya Rinnosuke in 1860.

On the right is Sawamura Tanosuke III as Yukihime, Bando Hikosaburo V plays Daizen in the center, Kataoka Gado II is Tokichi, and, behind him, Nakamura Kantaro plays Daizen's brother.

Print 8-3. Tokichi Presents the Go Bowl to Daizen

Oban print by Tsuruya Kokei, self-published in 1988. Edition limited to 63 impressions, each numbered and sealed by the artist.

Nakamura Kichiemon II is shown in the role of Tokichi in a recent performance. Kokei, born in 1946, is perhaps the most interesting woodblock print artist working in Japan today. He uses traditional pigments on very thin paper for his impressions, and prefers the finished work to have no margins. Several of his prints, such as this one, have a mica background. His specialty is portraits of kabuki actors in performance.

When Tokichi on stage presents the bowl to Daizen he always emphasizes the climactic moment with a special piece of acting called mie, a crossing of the eyes in a complicated manner while making a fierce grimace. The eye-crossing, seen in so many Japanese theatrical prints, is not a convention of graphic art but a realistic depiction of an ancient stage convention.

Print 8-4. Tokichi Presents the Go Bowl to Daizen

Chuban triptych by Yoshitaki, published in 1860. Publisher Umemura.

A kabuki scene with Ichikawa Udanji as Yukihime, Ichikawa Yaozo as Tokichi, and Onoe Tamizo II as Daizen.

Print 8-5. Tokichi Presents the Go Bowl to Daizen

Oban triptych by Kunichika. Date and publisher unknown.

A kabuki scene with Bando Mitsugoro as Yukihime, Sawamura Totsusho as Tokichi, and Kawarazaki as Daizen.

Print 8-6. Tokichi Presents the Go Bowl to Daizen

Oban triptych by Osai. Published by Hiranoya Shinzo. Date unknown.

In this actor print Sawamura Tanosuke as Yukihime is on the left and Kataoka Nizaemon as Tokichi on the right.