The actor Nakamura Shikan I as Matsuōmaru

Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786 - 1865)

Date1861, 11th month

PeriodEdo period (1615–1868)

MediumWoodblock print; ink and color on paper

Dimensions13 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (33.7 x 23.5 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGiven by Ms. Mary Katherine Burton Jones in memory of her mother, Joyce Ann Kennedy, 2009

Object numberSN11182.2

Nakamura Shikan IV as the guard Matsu?maru in Sugawara denju tenarai kagami (Sugawara and the secrets of calligraphy) performed at the Ichimura theatre from 17/10/1861. The play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in August 1746 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza. It was adapted to kabuki the following month and staged for the first time in Kyôto at the Kitagawa no Shibai, produced by Nakamura Kypsaburo I. It was also performed for the first time in Edo, at the Ichimuraza, in March 1747. This great play is based on the life of Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), a renowned scholar who was promoted up to the prestigious rank of udaijin ("Right Minister", one of the 2 close advisors of the Emperor). Falsely accused by Fujiwara no Shihei, the "Left Minister" (sadaijin), of trying to hatch a plot with Prince Tokiyo to seize the power, Sugawara no Michizane was exiled to Kyûshû. He dedicated his last years to writing poems, expressing both his homesickness and his innocence. After his death, the Emperor's residence was often struck by lightning and people thought it was done by the vengeful spirit of Sugawara no Michizane. A shrine was built in Kyôto to appease the spirit, the Kitano Tenmangû, and Sugawara no Michizane was revered as the god of calligraphy. In the play Sugawara no Michizane is called Kan Shôjô. "At the time when the authors were working on the play, a great stir was caused in Ôsaka by the birth of triplets. It was therefore decided to make use of triplets in the new production and thus it was that Matsuômaru, Umeômaru and Sakuramaru came into being. For the purpose of the story, the triplets are the sons of Sugawara's retainer, Shiratayû. When they were born, Sugawara stood sponsor to all three and named them after the trees he loved best, Matsu (Pine), Ume (Plum) and Sakura (Cherry). On their father's retirement, Umeômaru took his place as Sugawara's personal retainer. At the same time his two others brothers were found equally worthy employment, one as the retainer of Prince Tokiyo and the other in the household of Sugawara's colleague, Fujiwara no Shihei. When Shihei's jealousy brought about Sugawara's downfall, the triplets became the victims of divided loyalties" (Aubrey and Giovanna Halford in The Kabuki Handbook).

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