<b>THE ACTOR KATAOKA GADO AS MIYUKI</b>Yoshitkawa Kanpo1924$2,000</em>
ARTIST: Yoshikawa Kanpo (1894-1979)
TITLE: The Actor Kataoka Gado as Miyuki
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1924
DIMENSIONS: 16 5/8 x 10 5/8 inches
CONDITION: Very minor losses to the mica at the right edge; otherwise in excellent condition
NOTE: Silver mica printed over bronze background
LITERATURE: Amy Reigle Stephens, gen. ed., The New Wave: Twentieth-century Japanese Prints from the Robert O. Muller Collection, 1993, pl. 216
$ 2,000.00
Details
In this stunning design, Kanpo depicts Kataoka Gado, an actor of onnagata, or female roles. He is portrayed playing the role of Miyuki in the play Asagao Nikki (Diary of the Morning Glory). As the reference, The New Wave: Twentieth-century Japanese Prints from the Robert O. Muller Collection points out:
“Miyuki, the daughter of the Akizuki family, falls in love with Miyagi Asajiro while firefly hunting. The lovers are later separated, and Miyuki, told will marry with another, a certain Komazawa Jirozaemon, runs away. She eventually goes blind from her incessant weeping over her tragic fate. She changes her name to Asagao (morning glory) and becomes a wandering beggar. In an inn, she plays the Koto for Kamazawa, who is in reality Miyagi. He does not reveal his true identity and instead leaves, later to send medicine, money and a fan with a poem. Miyuki realizes who Kamazawa is and rushes after him, only to encounter a rainstorm that prevents her crossing a river. In despair, she intends to throw herself into the river, but is saved by her father’s servant.: Miyuki’s eyesight is restored once she drinks the medicine. P. 173”
The artist depicts Miyuki with her face downcast and her eyes closed, suggesting her temporary blindness, wearing a finger plectrum for the koto.
Connoisseur's Note
This striking design is in excellent condition. The colors are sharp and vivid as they appeared when the print was first produced. The background is embellished with a solid coat of silver mica.