Sambaso Dance in a Brothel (Ageya Sanbaso)
Artist
Okumura Masanobu 奥村 政信
(Japanese, 1686–1764)
Dateabout 1710
MediumWoodblock print; ink on paper; sumizuri-e
Dimensions26.7 x 35.9 cm (10 1/2 x 14 1/8 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection
Object number1901.307
DescriptionHorizontal oban (oban yoko-e)Label TextDancing acts played at the beginning of Japanese No and Kabuki theaters included three actors. One played the role of Okina, an aged man; the second impersonated the spirit of Senzai (1000 years) who carried a box containing treasures of long life and golden opportunities; the third, performed the Sanbaso [sanban (third) so (old man)] dance. This print is a mitate-e (parody-picture) of a real dance performance; the cartouches indicate the roles the three female figures impersonate. The courtesan with the book (simulating a hat) on her head is Tayu Jo (Courtesan Jo); she performs the role of Okina. On her kimono is the kiri-character crest (mon) of Arashi lineage actors. Her young girl attendant (kamuro), seated at the right wearing an inverted sake cup in place of a hat, performs the role of Senzai. She holds a
On View
Not on view
Okumura Masanobu 奥村 政信
about 1710