31
Ōtani Oniji III as Kawashima Jibugorō, the villain of the piece. In this performance the same actor also played the part of Ukiyo Tohei, a rôle in which he is shown in number 32.
Of the two known impressions of the print one is said to be on a yellow ground and the other is recorded as on a gray ground. Kurth describes the one he reproduces as on yellow ground, but the Vignier-Inada Catalogue, after calling attention to the apparent difference, reproduces as number 317 the one on gray ground which we have rephotographed as Rumpf did for his number 65. We have chosen this impression for reproduction because it would photograph more clearly than the other, although a number of extra lines around the hair have been added to it, apparently by hand.
None of the books referred to mentions the coloring of the costume.
The impression described in the Vignier-Inada Catalogue as on gray ground now is in the Matsukata Collection. The present whereabouts of the other is not known.
Hosoye. Signed: Tōshūsai Sharaku.
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