COMIC PERFORMERS, CLOWNS, MIMES,
HARLEQUINS, AND PIERROTS


See also the entry for Ballet.
 
 

SEPTEMBER 1917

                 
[Song of Tsubasa] Uta no Tsubasa (歌のつばさ)

Print Date:  09/30/17
Artist: Takehisa Yumeji (竹久夢二)
Medium: Machine printed? sheet music cover
Image courtesy of the National Museum of
Modern Art, Kyoto

Note: Senô Gakufu (セノオ楽譜) No. 66
 
 
 


AUGUST 1920

                 
 
Plays: [J.M. Equestrian Troupe] Jei, Emu, Kyokubadan (J、M、曲馬團);
[Apache Dance] Apasshu Dansu (アパッシュダンス); [Heaven and Hell] Tengoku to Jigoku (天國と地獄)
Performance Place: Hongô-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  08/09/20
Print Date: 08/1920?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 
 



JUNE 1921

                 
Harlequin cover of Kokusui (國粹) Magazine,
Vol. 2, No. 6

Print Date: 06/01/1921
Artist: Takehisa Yumeji (竹久夢二)
Medium: Woodblock printed cover
 
 
 
 

MARCH 1923



                    
Plays: Mizu to Tori (水と鳥); Koma Uri (獨樂賣); On'na to Kage (女と影);
Makudara no Mariya (マクダラのマリヤ); Gohiki Kanjinchô (御摂勧進帳)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date:  03/26-28/23
Print Date: 03/1923?
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? program art
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museu
 
 



SEPTEMBER 1924

                 
[I Want A Pretty Girl] Ai Uonto a Puritî Gâru
(アイ・ウォント・ア・プリティー・ガール)

Print Date:  09/09/24
Artist: Takehisa Yumeji (竹久夢二)
Medium: Machine printed? sheet music cover
Image courtesy of the National Museum of
Modern Art, Kyoto

Note: Senô Gakufu (セノオ楽譜) No. 361
 
 


FEBRUARY 1925

                 
[Nanban Song] Nanban Kyoku (南蛮曲)

Print Date: 02/20/1925
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
Published in HANGA, No. 5
Image courtesy of http://wuhanam.com





UNKNOWN MONTH 1925






                 
[Circus] Kyokuba (曲馬)

Print Date: 1925
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
 
 
 
 

JULY 1926




               
Tomoda Kyôsuke (友田恭助) as
Piero [Pierrot] (ピエロ)
 
Play: Yôki na Shi (陽気な死)
Performance Place: Tsukiji Kôgekijô
Performance Date: 07/20/26
Print Date: 1950 or later
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Meifu Miyage Geki no Omokage
(冥府苞苴劇容彩)  (#19)
Medium: ?
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: It is unclear if this is a woodblock print, a watercolor
drawing, or a hand-colored keyblock print for an
unpublished design.  Kyôsuke died on October 6, 1937 at
age 39.
  
 
 
 

1927

                 
[Modernist] Modanisuto (モダニスト)

Print Date: 1927
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
 
Note: It is unclear if this print was issued in color or not.


                 
[Modernist] Modanisuto (モダニスト)

Print Date: 1927
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
Image courtesy of Yamada Shoten
 
 
 

 
 

1928

                 
[On The Way; aka Stylish Girls 
on a Promenade] Tojô (途上)

Print Date: 1928
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
 
 
 
 

 
 
 



                 
 [Circus] Kyokuba (曲馬)

Print Date: 1928
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)


1929

                 
 [Circus Troupe] Kyokubadan (曲馬団)
 
Print Date: 1929
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
Image courtesy of Yamada Shoten



AUGUST 1931

                 
[Equestrian Feats] Kyokuba (曲馬)
 
Print Date: 08/1931 <p style="clear: both;"> </p>
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JANUARY 1932 </b>
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Published in Taishû Hanga (大衆版画),
Vol. 1 (Aug. 1931)
 



JANUARY 1932

                   
Banzai (万歳)

Publication: Chôkokutô (彫刻刀), 第 3 号
Date: 01/30/32
Artist: Maki Kiyoshi (牧喜義)
 
Note: Although the image is in black and
white, the print is in color.  It is also
remarkably similar to an undated print by
Maekawa Senpan.
 

 

NOVEMBER 1932


[Playing Cards with Pierrot and Harlequin]
Karuta Suru Piero to Arurukan (カルタするピエロとアルルカン)

Print Date: 11/15/32
Artist: Kikuchi Zenjirô (菊池善二郎; 菊池善次郎)
Medium: Monochrome woodblock print
Published in Shin Hanga (新版画), Vol. 6 (November 15, 1932)
 
 
 



JANUARY 1933



[Comedy Actors] Kigeki Yakusha (喜劇役者)

Artist: Uchida Ikuo (内田郁雄)
Published in Shin Hanga (新版画), Vol. 7 (January 1, 1933)
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

 
 
 


                   
                    [Singing Clown Under the Window of the Princess]
                    Ôjo no Sôka de Uta fu Dôkeshi
                    (王女の窓下で唄ふ道化師)

                    Play: Unknown Ayatsuri  Shibai
                    (あやつり芝居) [Puppet Play]
                    Performance Place: ?
                    Performance Date: ?
                    Artist: Shimizu Masahiro (清水正博)
                    Published in Shin Hanga (新版画),
                    Vol. 7 (January 1, 1933)
                    Personal Collection
 
 

 
 
 


                   
                    Cover

                    Published in Shin Hanga (新版画), Vol. 7 (January 1, 1933)
                    Artist: Shiba Hideo (柴 秀夫)
                    Image courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art,
                    Kamakura & Hayama
 
 
 
 
 

UNKNOWN MONTH 1933

                 
[Comic] Komikku (コミック)

Print Date: 1933
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
 
Note: It is unclear if this print was
issued in color or not. 
 
 
 

 




1934

               
[Circus Scene Illustration from
Kyokuba Shaseichô (曲馬写生帖)]

Publication Date: 1934
Artist: Kawanishi Hide (川西英)
Image courtesy of the Saru Gallery  
 


APRIL 1934


                 
[Opera - Clown 1] Kageki - Dôkeshi 1
(歌劇・道化師1)

Opera: Clown (道化師) [I Pagliacci]
Artist: Kikuchi Zenjirô (菊池善二郎; 菊池善次郎)
Published in Shin Hanga (新版画),
Vol. 16 (April 1, 1935)

Note: There was a production of Dôkeshi at the
Meiji-za in August 1931, but it is unlike that this
print depicts singers from that performance.
 
 
 
 


                 
[Opera - Clown 2] Kageki - Dôkeshi 2
(歌劇・道化師1)

Opera: Clown (道化師) [I Pagliacci]
Artist: Kikuchi Zenjirô (菊池善二郎; 菊池善次郎)
Published in Shin Hanga (新版画),
Vol. 16 (April 1, 1935)

Note: See the note for the first entry.



[Opera - Clown 3] Kageki - Dôkeshi 3
(歌劇・道化師1)

Opera: Clown (道化師) [I Pagliacci]
Artist: Kikuchi Zenjirô (菊池善二郎; 菊池善次郎)
Published in Shin Hanga (新版画),
Vol. 16 (April 1, 1935)

Note: See the note for the first entry.


    


1948

                 
[Young Clown (Harlequin)] Osanaki Dōke (Arurukan) 
(幼き道化 （アルルカン）)

Print Date:  1948
Artist: Sekino Jun'ichirô (関野準一郎)

                 
Harlequin

Print Date:  1948
Artist: Shinagawa Takumi (品川工)
Image courtesy of Collectingjapaneseprints.com
 
 
 
 

1950

                 
[Clown Child] Dôke no ko  (道化の子)

Print Date:  1950
Artist: Sekino Jun'ichirô (関野準一郎)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: Carved on celluoid board.
 
 
 
 

1959

                   
[Two Clowns (A)] Futari no Dôke  (二人の道化 (A))

Print Date: 1959
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 20)
 
 
 
 

 






                   
[Clown] Dôke (道化)

Print Date: 1959
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. ?)
Image courtesy of the Ronin Gallery



1960

                   
[Two Clowns (B) aka Comic Shinto Dancers;
Kagura Buffoonery] Futari no Dôke (二人の道化)

Print Date: 1960
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 510)
Image courtesy of the University of Michigan Museum of Art
 
 
 
 
 

 

 




 
  








                   
[Kagura Dance]

Play: ?
Print Date: 1960
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50)
Image courtesy of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
 

                   
[Clown Acrobat]]

Play: ?
Print Date: 1960
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50?)
Image courtesy of the Harvard Art Museums



1962

                   
[Clown of Sacred Dance (Small)]
Kagura no Dôke (ko) (神楽の道化（小）)

Print Date: 1962
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. ?)

Note: Only a black and white image is currently available. 
It is not known at this time if a color version exists. 
 
 


1964

                   
[Clown and Warrior God] Dôke to Bushin (道化と武神)

Play: ?
Print Date: 1964
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50)

Note: Only a black and white image is currently available. 
It is not known at this time if a color version exists.
  


1965

                 
[Harlequine Girl] Arurukan no Shôjo (アルルカンの少女)

Print Date:  1965
Artist: Sekino Jun'ichirô (関野準一郎)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 

                   
[A Clown & Warrior God] Dôke to Bushin (道化と武神)

Play: ?
Print Date: 1965
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50)
Image courtesy of the Floating World Gallery




                   
[Clown and Warrior God] Dôke to Bushin (道化と武神)

Play: ?
Print Date: 1965
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50)
Image courtesy of the Floating World Gallery














                   
[Lion and Clown] Shishi to Dôke (獅子と道化)

Play: ?
Print Date: 1965
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50)

Note: Only a black and white image is currently available. 
It is not known at this time if a color version exists.    
 


1966

                   
[A Clown & Lion] Dôke to Shishi (道化と獅子)

Play: ?
Print Date: 1966
Artist: Mori Yoshitoshi (森義利)
Medium: Stencil print (ed. 50)

Note: Only a black and white image is currently available.
It is not known at this time if a color version exists.
 
 
 
 



1968

                 
[Morning and Evening] Asa to Yû (朝と夕)

Print Date:  1968
Artist: Sekino Jun'ichirô (関野準一郎)
Image courtesy of the Oregon State University. Fairbanks Gallery
 
 
 

1972

            
Serious Clown

Print Date: 1972
Artist: Tajima Hiroyuki (田嶋宏行)
*Image courtesy of the National Museum of Asian Art
 
 
 
 

 
 

            
Clown Called Deserter

Print Date: 1972
Artist: Tajima Hiroyuki (田嶋宏行)
*Image courtesy of the National Museum of Asian Art

 
 

1974



Harlequin (Orange)

Date: 1974
Artist: Marian Korn
Medium: Colored etching
Image courtesy of The Honolulu Museum of Art
 
 
 
 
 


              



Harlequin (Pink)

Date: 1974
Artist: Marian Korn
Medium: Colored etching
Image courtesy of The Honolulu Museum of Art
 
 
 
 
 



               


[Mime Triste (Small)] Kanashiki Dôke (Ko) 悲しき道化（小)
 
Print Date: 1974 (ed. 100)
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 


1975


[Mime Triste (Large)]  Kanashiki Mīmu (Dai) 
(悲しきミーム（大))
 
Print Date: 1975 (ed. 100) 2
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 
 
 
 

1976


[Pierrot} Piero (ピエロ)
 
Print Date: 1976 (ed. 90)
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 
 
 
 






 



               


 

 


[Pierrot Dans Le Chardon]
Azami no Naka no Piero (あざみの中のピエロ)
 
Print Date: 1976 (ed. 80) 
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

1977


[Poussette De Carnaval] Kânibaru no Ubaguruma
(カーニバルの乳母車)
 
Print Date: 1977 (ed. 90) 2
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

1979


[Mime Dans Le Faisceau] Supotto no Naka no Mîmu
(スポットの中のミーム)
 
Print Date: 1979 (ed. 90)  3
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 
 
 
 

1981


[Young Clown] Wakaki Dôke (若き道化)
 
Print Date: 1981 (ed. 90)  4
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

1982

                 
[Pierrot] Piero (ピエロ)

Date:  1982 (ed. 2)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Medium: Woodblock with mixed media
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: This is a presentation proof.  It is not known at
this time if the print was editioned. 
 
 

                 
[Pierrot on a Trapeze]
Buranko no Piero (ブランコにピエロ)

Date:  1982 (ed. 99)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 




                 
Love Song

Date:  1982 (ed. 776)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 





[Regard] Me-sa (眼差)
 
Print Date: 1982 (ed. 90)
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 
 

 

1983

                 
Love Me - B

Date:  1983 (ed. 776)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Medium: Woodblock with mixed media
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 
 
 



                 
Imagine A

Date:  1983 (ed. 776)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Medium: Woodblock with mixed media
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 




                 
Imagine - B

Date:  1983 (ed. 776)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Medium: Woodblock with mixed media
Image courtesy of Artelino.com





[[Clair] Akari (明かり)
 
Print Date: 1983 (ed. 90) 
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

1985

                 
Letter - II

Date:  1985 (ed. 776)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 


1987

                 
Time Goes By

Date:  1987 (ed. 976)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Medium: Woodblock with mixed media
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 


1992


[Clown] Douke (道化)
 
Print Date: 1992 (ed. 90)  4
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

1993


[Clown Au Singe] Saru no Iru Dôke (猿のいる道化)
 
Print Date: 1993 (ed. 90)  2
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

2001


[Clown 2]  Dôke 2 (道化２)
 
Print Date: 2001
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 75)
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

2004


[Marionette - Whisper of Death]
Marionetto - Shi no Sasayaki
(マリオネット - 死の囁き)
 
Print Date: 2004
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 75)
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

2005


[Middle-aged Mime]
Chûnen no Mîmu (中年のミーム)
 
Print Date: 2005
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 75)
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 
 
 
 
 
 


               


[Pierrot and Horse] Uma to Piero (馬とピエロ)
 
Print Date: 2005
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 75) 4
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

2013


[Clown] Kuraun (クラウン)
 
Print Date: 2013
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 35) 4 
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 



               


[Clown (Small)] Kuraun (Ko) (クラウン (小))
 
Print Date: 2013
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 35) 4 
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 



               


[Femme Clown] On'na Dôke (女道化)
 
Print Date: 2013
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 35) 3 
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 



               


[Drummer] Tanbûru (タンブール)
 
Print Date: 2013
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 35) 4 
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

2014


[Old Clown King] Oita Dôke-ô (老いた道化王)
 
Print Date: 2014
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 35) 4 
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 
 

 



               


[Jizo Mime] Ojizô Mîmu (お地蔵ミーム)
 
Print Date: 2014
Artist: Iwaya Tôru (岩谷徹)
Medium: Mezzotint (ed. 35)  
Image courtesy of https://www.toruiwaya.com
 

 

2016

                 
[Never Love Anyone Anymore - A]
Mô Daremo Aisanai (A) (もうだれも愛さない (A))

Date:  2016 (ed. 200)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 


UNKNOWN DATES


[Comedy] Kigeki (喜劇)
 
Print Date: ? (ed. 28)
Artist: Hosoya Masayuki (細谷正之)
Medium: Copperplate etching
Image courtesy of the Yoseido Gallery

 
 

                           
                    [New Moon and Letter] Mikadzuki to Moji (三日月と文字)
 
                    Print Date: ? (ed. 20)
                    Artist: Hosoya Masayuki (細谷正之)
                    Medium: Copperplate etching
                    Image courtesy of the Yoseido Gallery

                    Note:  This print possibly depicts Columbine and Harlequin.
 
 
 
 


 
 

 

                 
[Pan in the Milky Way]
Ginga no Bokushin (銀河の 牧神)

Date:  ? (ed. 776)
Artist: Okamoto Ryûsei (岡本流生)
Medium: Woodblock with mixed media
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 
 
 




                 
[Pierrot] Piero (ピエロ)

Print Date: ?
Artist Furuta Yoshio
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 



                   
[Circus] Sâkasu (サーカス )

Theater: Takarazuka, Tokyo
Print Date: ?
Artist: Hirai Fusando (平井房人)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 



                   
[Dancer and Pierrot] Dansā to Piero (ダンサーとピエロ )
[Ascribed title]

Print Date: ?
Artist: Kobayakawa Kiyoshi (小早川清)
Series: Modangâru (モダンガール)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com




Pierrot (ピエロ)
 
Print Date: ? [pre-1984] (ed.88)
Medium: Paper cut print
Artist: Miyata Masayuki (宮田雅之)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 


              


 
 


              



Pierrot (ピエロ)
 
Print Date: ? [pre-1984]
Medium: Paper cut print
Artist: Miyata Masayuki (宮田雅之)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: The image above is an offset lithograph based on the original
paper cut print..
 
 
 
 


              

           
            [Comic performance for the New Year's Day]

            Print Date:  ?
            Artist: Maekawa Senpan (前川千帆)
            Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                 
[Masked Musician with Mandolin]

Print Date:  ?
Artist: Sekino Jun'ichirô (関野準一郎)
Collection of John Fiorillo

Note: John Fiorillo dates this print to c. 1948.


                   
[Dance] Buyō (舞踊)

Print Date: ? (ed. ?)
Medium: Stone lithograph
Personal Collection


Note: This print relates to the center panel of Oda's 1927 print "Night Music
on a Floating Pavillion."  The dealer handling this print thinks it might have
been a test proof.