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Matsumoto Yonesaburō in the rôle of the courtezan Kewaizaka no Shōshō, who is connected with the Soga story. Yonesaburō also is listed in the play-bill as taking the part of Shinobu, the younger sister of Miyagino, in this production; but actors often took more than one part in a play, and the rôle represented here is believed to be that of Kewaizaka no Shōshō.
The costume is mainly in rose and white with a darker rose above and a white collar. The obi bears an elaborate design of black on black.
There are impressions in which the design in black on the black obi is omitted or has become invisible.
The print bears a hand-written inscription giving the name of the actor.
The subject is reproduced in the Vignier-Inada Catalogue, number 267, as Rumpf number 24, and by Noguchi from one impression; Kurth and Nakata use another. The inscribed copy we exhibit is reproduced in the Morrison Fine Art Society Catalogue of 1909. There are three others in America.
Ōban. Dark mica ground. Signed: Tōshūsai Sharaku.
Museum of Fine Arts (Spaulding Collection).
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