Skip to main content
Advanced Search
The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji as Watanabe no Tsuna and the Boy Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Demoness Ibaraki Disquised as Tsuna's Aunt
The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji as Watanabe no Tsuna and the Boy Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Demoness Ibaraki Disquised as Tsuna's Aunt
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji as Watanabe no Tsuna and the Boy Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Demoness Ibaraki Disquised as Tsuna's Aunt

Artist (Japanese)
Date1883
Mediummoodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban triptych
Dimensions34.2 x 23 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/16 in.)
Overall1: 34.2 x 23.8 cm (13 7/16 x 9 3/8 in.)
Overall2: 34.2 x 23.1 cm (13 7/16 x 9 1/8 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. George W. Hauser and family, in memory of Dr. & Mrs. Ernst A. Hauser
Object number1991.70
DescriptionFrom the play "Roshoman"
Label Text2003-04-03: Morikawa Chikashige (second half of the 19th century) The Actor Ichikawa Sadanji as Watanabe Tsuna and the Boy Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Demoness Ibaraki Disguised as Tsuna's Aunt Registered 1883 Series: "One Hundred Ghost Stories of China and Japan" Woodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban triptych Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hauser and family, in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Ernst A. Hauser, 1991.70 Following the advice of a Shinto priest, Watanabe Tsuna hid the demon's arm severed at Rasho-mon, in a strong-box and brought it home. Shortly thereafter he was visited by an old woman who professed to be his aunt. Flattering Tsuna the woman asked him to tell her about his adventures and persuaded him to open the box. She then quickly grabbed the arm, assumed her true form as the demoness Ibaraki, and flew away. The demoness had outsmarted Tsuna but she was afraid of his courage and never returned to Kyoto. These events from the Rasho-mon legend were a favorite subject in theatre plays. This print depicts the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Sadanji in the role of Tsuna, knocking over the box as he draws his sword and tries to slay the white-haired, horned Ibaraki. The characters are identified by inscriptions and by the partly visible white crest [three round stars over a vertical line] on the lapel of the vest-like kataginu of the hero's samurai costume (kamishimo).ProvenanceMr. and Mrs. George W. Hauser and family, Sudbury, MA., in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Ernst A. Hauser
On View
Not on view