DECEMBER 1955

                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII (松本幸四郎) as
Musashibô Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶)

Play:  Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 12/03/55
Print Date: 02/1957
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

                   
Onoe Baikô VII (尾上梅幸) as
Koshimoto Okaru (腰元おかる)

Play:  Michiyuki Tabiji no Hanamuko
(道行旅路花聟) between Acts IV and
V of Kanadehon Chûshingura
(假名手本忠臣蔵; 仮名手本忠臣蔵)
Performance Place:Meij-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 12/04/55
Print Date: 08/1956
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

                   
Ichikawa Ebizô IX (市川海老蔵) as
Hayano Kanpei (早野勘平)

Play:  Kanadehon Chûshingura
(假名手本忠臣蔵; 仮名手本忠臣蔵)
Performance Place: Meiji-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 12/04/1955
Print Date: 11/1955
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note: Ebizô IX would subsequently perform the
role at the Kabuki-za in December 1955, a
month after this print was made.  It is possible that
the print was conceived in anticipation of that
performance.  Shunsen previously made a print of
Ebizô IX in this role in 1954, based on a
performance at the Meiji-za in December 1952.
 
 
  
 
 

                   
Ichikawa, Shôchô III (市川松蔦) as
Sagi Musume (鷺娘)

Play:  Sagi Musume (鷺娘)
Performance Place: Tôyoko Hall, Toyko
Performance Date: 12/1955
Print Date: 1957?
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note: A similar but more detailed version of this
design is shown in the 2002 Shunsen catalog
(bearing a 1957 date) and 1991 Shunsen catalogs
(and appears to be a painting, not hanga-genga).
It is possible that the actual date of this print is
not 1957.
 
 
 
 
 

                   
Iwai Hanshirô X (岩井半四郎) as
Sanbasô (三番叟)

Play: Ayatsuri Sanbasô (操り三番; 操三番叟)
Performance Place: Tôyoko Hall, Toyko
Performance Date: 12/1955
Print Date: 1957?
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note: A similar but more detailed version of this
design is shown in the 2002 Shunsen catalog
(bearing a 1957 date) and 1991 Shunsen catalogs
(and appears to be a painting, not hanga-genga).
 It is possible that the actual date of this print is
not 1957.