Background
Shibakuni (芝國) was active ca. 1820s to 1833, and was one of the best artists during that period. One might speculate that based on his use of the "kuni" character in his name, and his style of drawing and composition, that he might have studied with Yoshikuni. However, virtually nothing is known about him, other than the works he left behind.
A Splendid Courtesan at the Great Flower Arrow Contest (Appare keisei makura no tôriya 遖傾成花大矢数) was written by the heralded actor Nakamura Utaemon III (shown here on the right sheet), who revised an earlier drama by Namiki Gohei (1747-1808), an important Osaka-born playwright. The story involves an attempt to overthrow a master archer named Koshino Kanzaemon, more than one murder, romantic entanglements, an archery contest, and a lost heirloom arrow.
Design
This is a collaborative print (gassaku: 合作) or collective work for which more than one artist is responsible for the design. Gassaku are uncommon, especially from the earlier period of Osaka printmaking. In Kamigata (Osaka-Kyoto region), gassaku were typically of two types: (1) a shared work by a master and his students, and (2) a collaboration among artists of equal status, as in our example.
Here, Kitabatake Kazusa no Kami, "adorned" with eight enemy arrows, balances on his sword as he leans toward Wada Raipachi, who holds the barrel of an impossibly large gun.
References: IBKYS-II, no. 88
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