Utagawa Kuniyoshi,
'The Blind Kagekiyo Reunited with his Daughter Hitomaru' scene from the kabuki play 'Tsuki no ume megumi no Kagekiyo' (月梅摂景清). The Nakamura-ya theater. Sheets measures 35.5 x 23.5-24, total image dimensions 36 x 47 cm. Frame dimensions 60 x 75 cm.
Not examined out of frame. A bit faded. Minor holes, laid on paper.
Literature
Compare to object number 2001.22A-B Allen Memorial Art Museum collections.
More information
Kabuki diptych showing the rarest of all ukiyo-e scenes; a heartfelt hug. On the left sheet we see Onoe Shinshichi III as 松番匠新七郎 実ハ天野四郎常長 (standing) and Ichikawa Kuzô II as 室の津肝煎佐次太夫. Right sheet: Nakamura Utaemon IV as the blind Aku Shichibei Kagekiyo (悪 七兵衛 景清 後ニ日向勾当) and Onoe Kikujirô II as Kagekiyo’s daughter Hitomaru (景清 娘 人丸). Play: Tsuki no ume megumi no Kagekiyo (月梅摂景清). Theater: Nakamura-ya. The character at right is obviously blind, yet overjoyed to be reunited with the smiling young woman who kneels before him. He has probably been living in the small hut on the beach pictured at right. His walking staff leans against the wall behind him.
