Fight Scene Between Two Kabuki Actors

Vertical ōban diptych. Dimensions: 20 ¾ x 26 in. (36.83 x 24.77 cm)

Artist’s signature (left): Kōchōrō Toyokuniga 香朝楼豊国画 Artist’s signature (right): Ichiyōsai Toyokuniga 一陽斎豊国画 Publisher’s seal: Shō 庄 Censor’s seals: Watanabe 渡邊 and Mera 米良 Shita-uri seal: シタ賣

This ōban diptych by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865, also known as Toyokuni III 豊国) depicts a swordfight between the actors Sasaki Gennosuke 佐々木源之助 (left) and Yodo Yosaemon 淀与三右衛門 (right). It is unknown whether it represents a scene from a particular play, since no title or character names are given. This diptych is unusual because Kunisada used two different art names to sign each panel: Kōchōrō and Ichiyōsai. Another unusual feature is the oval seal that reads ‘shita-uri’ (‘shita’ meaning ‘down’ and ‘uri’ meaning ‘sell’). This seal occasionally appears on kabuki prints from 1850 to 1853, and its purpose is unknown. There is a wide range of theories, but it is generally agreed that the seal was some form of government-imposed market control.

Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter