The Actor Nakamura Matsue in a Female Role Holding an Infant Boy

Artist/Culture Ippitsusai Buncho (active c.1755-1790)

Publisher Unknown

DateAbout 1770

Mediumwoodblock print, ink and color on paper

Dimensionshoso-e; 31.1 x 13.5 cm (12 1/4 x 5 5/16 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

MarkingsArtist's seal: Mori uji

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Japanese Print

Object number1901.404

DescriptionNakamura Matsue I (1742-86)
A disciple of Nakamura Utaemon I, he debuted as Nakamura Sensaburo, performed in Osaka kodomo shibai, and took the name Nakamura Matsuemon because of his association with the role of Matsuemon in a play in which he acted. In 1761, while acting at Edo's Morita-za, he became Matsue I. Back in Edo from Kamigata in 1773, he changed his name to Nakamura Riko I. He was best known as a sewamono actor in various types of onnagata roles.

Reference: Samuel L. Leiter, New Kabuki Encyclopedia: A Revised Edition of Kabuki Jiten, p. 443.

The actor wearing a feathered robe in a female role is depicted holding an infant boy in her arms while standing under a blossoming cherry tree beside a fence, looking up at small cloud of orange hue. The role has not been indentified.

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