Background
Katô Masakiyo was the theatrical stand-in for the historical Katô Kiyomasa (1562-1611), the son of a blacksmith who became legendary for his ferocity in battle, winning respect and influence from his mid-twenties until his death. Nicknamed the "demon general" (kishôkan), he commanded the second division in the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi's first Korean invasion of 1592. Kiyomasa led troops in Korea again in 1597, but was recalled the next year following Hideyoshi's death. Although he allied himself with Tokugawa Ieyasu — one of Hideyoshi's generals and the eventual founder of the hereditary dynasty of Tokugawa shoguns — he ran afoul of Ieyasu after opposing a plan to murder Hideyoshi's son, Hideyori. Kiyomasa's death in 1611 was suspicious, possibly the result of poisoning on orders from Ieyasu.
In Hachijin shugo no honjô (Eight battle arrays to protect Honjô Castle: 八陣守護城), Kiyomasa's (Masakiyo's) theatrical tale takes an ominous turn when circumstances force him to meet with Kitabatake (a theatrical stand-in for Tokugawa Ieyasu, whose direct portrayal in theater or literature was banned by the shogunate). Kitabatake gives Masakiyo a poisoned cup of saké, which he drinks, knowing it will be fatal. He nevertheless musters the courage and stamina to stay alive for months to protect his young lord until he finally succumbs to the deadly brew
Design
The background of a dragon in clouds is signed “Gengyo hitsu” (玄魚筆); the poem at right is signed with actor's poetry name Gadō 我童.
This print is from an untitled series of 80 actor prints with poems. Almost all of the prints are based on actual performances in the years 1861 and 1862. Few of them seem to be "mitate" (analogue) prints.
The poem on the right is signed with the actor's poetry name hachidaime Gadô (八代目我童).
This is a deluxe printing with well preserved, fine colors and "lacquer" highlights in the black-pigment areas of the hat and robe; there is also embossing. Another impression (soiled) is in the British Museum (1943,0410,0.7.49).
References
- See our Kunisada I Biography.
- Also see https://viewingjapaneseprints.net/texts/ukiyoe/kunisada.html.
There are many publications on the works of Kunisada. A good introduction in English is by Sebastian Izzard (with essays by J. Thomas Rimer and John Carpenter): Kunisada's World. New York: Japan Society in collaboration with Ukiyo-e Society of America, 1993.
Return to