KAGAMI JISHI
(鏡獅子)

aka SHUNKYÔ KAGAMI JISHI (春興鏡獅子)

                 
 
Play: Muneyukikyô (宗行卿); Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子); Sato no Harugi Azami no Ironui
(柳巷春着薊色縫); Kongen Kusazuribiki (根元草摺引)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/14/09
Print Date: 01/14/09
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 

Nakamura Kotarô II (中村児太郎) as
Okoshô Yayoi (お小姓弥生)

Play: [Shunkyô] Kagami Jishi ([春興]鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 08/01/15
Print Date: 10/01/15
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Publication: Yakusha-e (Shin Nigao)
(新似顔), Vol. 4
Personal Collection
 
 
 

                 
 
Plays: Zôho Momoyama Monogatari (増補桃山譚); Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子);
Yuki no Yûbe Iriya no Azemichi (雪 暮夜入谷畦道); Dontsuku (どんつく)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 03/01/16
Print Date: 03/1916?
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 

Nakamura Fukusuke V (中村福助) as
Yayoi (弥生)
 
Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Meiji-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 12/01/17
Print Date: 12/1917?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada IIII (歌川国貞)
Series: Chiyo ni Sakaeru Kabuki no Irodori
(千代 栄劇彩) #3
Personal Collection

            
            Nakamura Fukusuke V
            (中村福助) as Yayoi (弥生)
 
            Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
            Performance Place: Meiji-
            za, Tokyo
            Performance Date: 12/01/17
            Print Date: 12/1917? 
            Artist: Utagawa Kunisada IIII
            (歌川国貞)     
            Medium: woodblock printed
            senshafuda
            Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

Plays: Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家); Shinpan Utazaimon (新版歌祭文); Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子);
Botan Toki (牡丹燈記); Hishaku Zake (柄杓酒)
Performance Place: Hongô-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  06/03/27
Print Date: 06/1927?
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 
 

Plays: Shibata Katsuie (柴田勝家); Shinpan Utazaimon (新版歌祭文); Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子);
Botan Toki (牡丹燈記); Hishaku Zake (柄杓酒)
Performance Place: Hongô-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  06/03/27
Print Date: 06/1927?
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? sujigaki back cover
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
Note: Performed by Carpi's Italian Grand Opera Co.
 
 
 

                    
Plays:  Ejima Ikushima (江島生島); Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa
(新皿屋舗月雨暈); Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子); Taiheiki Asahi no Yoroi (太平記曦鎧)
Performance Place: Shinbashi Enbujô, Tokyo
Performance Date:  10/03/27
Print Date: 10/1927?
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
 
 
 

Plays:  Kichirei Soga no Taimen (吉例曽我対面); Kanzaki Sasaya Banashi (神崎笹屋話);
Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子); Kurayami no Ushimatsu (暗闇の丑松); Kisen (喜撰)    
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  12/01/37
Print Date: 12/1937?
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of the Shôchiku Ôtani Library
 
 
 

                    
Plays:  Kichirei Soga no Taimen (吉例曽我対面); Kanzaki Sasaya Banashi (神崎笹屋話);
Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子); Kurayami no Ushimatsu (暗闇の丑松); Kisen (喜撰)    
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date:  12/01/37
Print Date: 12/1937?
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine lithograph printed? ehon sujigaki back cover
Image courtesy of the Shôchiku Ôtani Library
 

                   
Shishi (獅子)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 1941
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III (長谷川貞信)
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

                   
Shishi no Sei
(獅子の精)

Play: Kagami Jishi
(鏡獅子)
Print Date: 1942
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III
(長谷川貞信)
Series: Kokusui Butô-sen
Hana no Maki
(国粋舞踏選 花の巻)
Image courtesy of
Artelino.com
 
 

                   
Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Print Date: 01/1943
Artist: ?
Personal Collection
 
 

                 
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Koshô Yayoi (小姓弥生)

Play: [Shunkyô] Kagami Jishi ([春興][鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 10/1945
Print Date: 11/30/51
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Shôwa Butai Sugata (昭和舞台姿 その一) (#1)
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: Kikugorô VI first played the role of Yayoi in this
play in Tokyo at the Ichimura-za in January 1914. 
Although Kikugorô VI's final Tokyo appearance in this role
was in October 1945, it is possible that Gakô based this
print on one  of Kikugorô VI's prior performances.   Some
authorities give the date for this print as 1948 or 1952. 
The date used is the date on the folder for the white
sleeve variant until and unless a difference folder date
surfaces for one of the purple sleeve versions.
 
 
 
 

                 
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Koshô Yayoi (小姓弥生)

Play: [Shunkyô] Kagami Jishi ([春興][鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 10/1945
Print Date: 11/30/51
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Shôwa Butai Sugata (昭和舞台姿 その一) (#1)
Image courtesy of Serge Astieres

Note: Color variant.  See first entry for further details.
 
 
 

                 
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Koshô Yayoi (小姓弥生)

Play: [Shunkyô] Kagami Jishi ([春興][鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 10/1945
Print Date: 11/30/51
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Shôwa Butai Sugata (昭和舞台姿 その一) (#1)
Image courtesy of Serge Astieres

Note: Color variant.  See first entry for further details.
 
 
 

                   
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

Play:  Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/1945
Print Date: 1949
Series: Kikugorô Buyo Sugata [Kikugorô’s Dance Appearances]
(菊五郎舞踊姿)
Personal Collection

Note:  Kikugorô VI first performed the role of Yayoi in Tokyo
at the Ichimura-za in January 1914.  He reprised the role in
Tokyo on at least 21 subsequent occasions.  Although his
appearance at the Teikoku Gekijô in November 1945
was his last appearance in this role in Tokyo, it is possible
that this print depicts Kikugorô VI in one of these other
productions.

                   
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

Play:  Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/1945
Print Date: 11/1945?
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note:  Kikugorô VI first performed the role of Yayoi in
Tokyo at the Ichimura-za in January 1914.  He reprised
the role in Tokyo on at least 21 subsequent occasions. 
Although his appearance at the Teikoku Gekijô in
November 1945 was his last appearance in this role in
Tokyo, it is possible that this print depicts Kikugorô
VI in one of these other productions.  Depending on
the actual publication date of the print, it is possible
that it was intended as a memorial print.
 
 
 
 
 

                   
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

Play:  Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/1945
Print Date: 1950?
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note:  The keyblock print at the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre
Museum identifies the actor as Kikugorô VI, who died on
July 10, 1949.   A final version of this design printed in color
has not been located and may not exist.  This print was likely
commissioned as a  memorial print.  Kikugorô VI first
performed the role of Yayoi in Tokyo at the Ichimura-za in
January 1914.  He reprised the role in Tokyo on at least 21
subsequent occasions.  Although his appearance at the
Teikoku Gekijô in November 1945 was his last appearance
in this role in Tokyo, it is possible that this print depicts
Kikugorô VI in one of these other productions.
 
 
 
 

                   
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Shishi no Sei (獅子の精)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/1945
Print Date: 1950?
Image courtesy of Hanga.com

Note:  A keyblock print at the Tsubouchi Memorial
Theatre Museum identifies  the actor as Kikugorô VI,
who died on July 10, 1949.   This print was likely
commissioned as a memorial print.  Kikugorô VI
first performed the role of Yayoi in Tokyo at the
Ichimura-za in January 1914.  He reprised the role in
Tokyo on at least 21 subsequent occasions. 
Although his appearance at the Teikoku Gekijô in
November 1945 was his last appearance in this role
in Tokyo, it is possible that this print depicts
Kikugorô VI in one of these other productions.
 
 
 
 

                   
[Makeup for Shishi (獅子)]

Play: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子)
Print Date: 11/1948
Artist: Ueno Tadamasa (上野忠雅)
Series: Kabuki Kumadori Awase (歌舞伎隈取合)
Image courtesy of the Asian Collection Internet Auction
 
 

                   
Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Print Date: 1950
Artist: Itô Shinsui (伊東深水)
Personal Collection
 
 
 

                 
May (5月): Kagami Jishi Atoshite (鏡獅子後シテ)

Play: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子)
Print Date: 1950
Artist: Ueno Tadamasa (上野忠雅)
Series: [Calendar of Kabuki Actors] Kabuki Sugata-goyomi
(歌舞伎姿暦)
^Personal Collection

Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生) 

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Date: 1954
Artist: Ohashi Gekkô (大橋月皎)
Series: [Woodblock Prings of Famous Stories of Kabuki]
Meikyôgen; Kabuki Mokuhangashu (名狂言  歌舞伎木版画集)  Series 2
 
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Koshô Yayoi (小姓彌生; 小姓弥生)

Play:  [Shunkyô] Kagami Jishi ([春興]鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/56
Print Date: 03/1957
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

                   
Shishi (獅子)

Play:  Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: [Bunraku-za, Osaka?]
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 1963
Artist: Hanabusa Hideki (花房英樹)
Series: Bunraku-za Ningyô Hanga-shû
(文楽座人形版画集), #10
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
 
 
 

                 
Onoe Kikugoro VI (尾上菊五郎) as Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Print Date: 10/20/68
Artist: Takahashi Yukio/Nakamura Tokie I (中村時枝) (1968)
Series: [Twelve Months of Famous Actors]
Meiyû Jyûni-Kagetsu (名優十二 ヶ月)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
  
 
 

               
Onoe Kikugorô VII (尾上菊五郎) as
Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Minami-za, Kyoto
Performance Date: 11/30/74
Print Date: 09/1977
Artist: Yamamoto Hisashi (山本ひさし)
Personal Collection (#10/200)

Note: Kikugorô VII also performed the lion dance in "Hanabusa Shûjaku
no Jishi" (英執着獅子) at the Kabuki-za, Tokyo, in February 1975, but
the character in that play is a princess, not a lady’s maid.
 
 

Kagamijishi (鏡獅子)

Play: Kagamijishi (鏡獅子)
Date: 1977
Artist: Kishimoto Akira (****)
Image courtesy of the Honolulu Museum of Art
 
 
 
 

                   
[The Lion Dance] Kagami-Jishi (鏡獅子)

Dance: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子)
Print Date: ?
Artist: Shimura Tatsumi (志村立美)
Series: [A Hundred Poses of Women] Bijin Hyakutai ( 美人百態)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: This woodblock print was issued in three editions.  One
(as shown) in an edition of 300, another in an edition of 400, and
still another in an editon of 420.  It is not clear which is the earliest
edition.   There was also a lithographic version issued in an
edition of 200.
 
 
 

[The lion dance of the Otowaya Guild in the kabuki dance performance "Kagami Jishi"]
 
[Among the Annual Customs Kabuki 12 Zodiac Signs] 
Kichirei Kabuki Ju-ni Shi no Uchi (吉例歌舞妓十二支の内)
 
[New Repertorie of 18 Kabuki Plays in Honor of the Year of the Boar]
Kabuki 18 Toshi ni Chinami Shin Kabuki Jûhachiban (亥歳に因み新歌舞妓十八番)
 
Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
 
[Otowaya Guild's Lion Spirit] Otowaya no Shishi no Sei (音羽屋の獅子の精)

Dance: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi  (春興鏡獅子)
Print Date: 1989
Artist: Obata Tsutomu (小畑勉)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
Note: Although the seller gave the date of the print as 1989, the inscription referencing the
Year of the Boar would suggest that the year was 1983 or 1995.
 
 

                   
Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as
Kirare Yosaburô (切られ与三郎) in
Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi  (與話情浮名横櫛)
and similar plays

Nakamura Utaemon V (中村歌右衛門) as
Onhahakô Yodo no Kata (淀の方) [Yodogimi (淀君)] in
Hototogisu Kojô no Rakugetsu (沓手鳥孤城落月) and
similar plays

Kataoka Nizaemon XI (片岡仁左衛門) as
Meikô Kakiemon (名工柿右衛門) in
Meikô Kakiemon (名工柿右衛門)

Ichikawa Chûsha VII (市川中車)  as
Nikki Danjô (仁木弾正) in
Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)

Nakamura Ganjirô I (中村鴈治郎) as
Kameya Chûbē (亀屋忠兵衛; 龜屋忠兵衛) in
Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai (恋飛脚大和往来)

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Musashibô Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶) in Kanjinchô (勧進帳)

Ichikawa Sadanji II (市川左団次; 市川左團次) as
Idahachi (伊太八) in Onoe Idahachi (尾上伊太八)

Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎)  as Yayoi (弥生) in
Kagami Jishi  (鏡獅子) and similar plays

Onoe Baikô VI (尾上梅幸) as Kijô (鬼女) in
Modoribashi (戻橋)
 
Nakamura Kichiemon I  (中村吉右衛門) as
Ishikiri Kajiwara (石切梶原) in
Kajiwara Heizô Homare no Ishikiri (梶原平三誉石切)

Title:  Dozô no Rakugaki (土蔵のらくがき)
Print Date: ?
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
 
 

       
        Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生; 御小姓弥生)

        Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
        Performance Place: ?
        Performance Date: ?
        Print Date: ?
        Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III
        (長谷川貞信)
        Medium: Woodblock printed postcard
        Image courtesy of
        MiniatureJapanesePrints.com
 
           

                               
                Nakamura Kankurô V (中村勘九郎) as
                Yayoi (弥生)

                Play: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子)
                Performance Place: ?
                Performance Date: ?
                Print Date: ?M
                Artist: Menjo? Sachiko (毛受幸子)
                Publication: Nigao-e Kabuki Ehon (似顔絵歌舞伎絵本)
                Medium: Lithographic reproduction of artwork
                Personal Collection
 
                Note: Kankurô V performed this role in Tokyo 11 times
                between April 1976 and January 2002.

Okoshô Yayoi (御小姓彌生)

Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Print Date: ?
Artist: Ohashi Gekkô (大橋月皎)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
Note: Although listed as a woodblock print, it is possible that this is
actually a painting.
 
 
 

                               
                Kabuki Faces
 
                Print Date: ?
                Artist: Sano Tako (****)
                Image courtesy of Sakura Fine Art

                Note: This print was made for a calendar. 

Yayoi (弥生)/Sukeroku (助六)

Plays: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子)/
Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura (助六由縁江戸桜)
Print Date: ?
Artist: Suzuki Shôko (鈴木祥湖)
Medium: Woodblock printed toy print
Personal Collection

                 
Kagami Jishi  (鏡獅子)
 
Play: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi (春興鏡獅子)
Print Date: ?
Artist: Takahashi Hiromitsu (髙橋宏光)
Medium: Kappazuri (ed. ?)
Image courtesy of www.fineartists.co.jp
 
 
 

*

Yayoi
 
Play: Shunkyô Kagami Jishi
(春興鏡獅子)
Print Date: ?
Artist: ?
Medium: Woodblock printed
senshafuda
Personal Collection

Note: This senshafuda was acquired
along with the senshafuda in
Senshafuda Set #4 but is believed to
be part of a different set.

                 
Onoe Baikô VII (尾上梅幸) as Yayoi (弥生)
           
Play: Kagami Jishi (鏡獅子)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Yamamoto Hisashi (山本ひさし)
Medium: Woodblock printed senshafuda
Personal Collection
 
Note: Onoe Baikô VII performed this role 17 times between 1950
and 1980.