IWAI HANSHIRÔ X (岩井半四郎)
08/08/1927 - 12/25/2011

                   
Iwai Hanshirô X (岩井半四郎) as
Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸)

Play:  Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki
(鬼一法眼三略巻)
Performance Place: Tôyoko Hall, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/1955
Print Date: 02/1957
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note:  The inscription on the print says
“牛若丸の橋弁慶” but I can find no evidence that
Hanshirô played Ushiwakamaru in any post-war
production of Hashi Benki during Shunsen’s
 lifetime.  I can only assume that Shunsen is refer-
ring to the scene of Benkei on the bridge in Act V
of Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki and not to the
play by that title.
 
 

                   
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.