is this a banzuke or what?

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is this a banzuke or what?

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tanuki

This japanese edo double oban print signed itchinsai yoshiteru (thank you suzanne!) lists a number of names (?) and a scene with a man and a woman separated by a stream (the yoshiteru’s part). Maybe a banzuke but not sure. I would like to know what those numerous names stand for (too many for people from a single kabuki play…). Can you read some of these names for me. Also, what is the title of the print and the approximate date?
Any other information on the other larger writings would be welcome!
Thanks a lot,
Francis

  • lucienne parkan

    Hello Francis

    Based on the scene I propose the play

    Imoseyama onna teikin (妹背山婦女庭訓)
    'Yoshinogawa’ scene

    to the right of the river you have Kuganosuke and Daihanji, to the left Sadaka and Hinadori

    Alec Woods' db indicates signature Itchinsai Yoshiteru 一椿斎芳輝写 was used fl. c. 1831-1845
    therefore I suggest
    3rd month of 1833 at the Ichimura

    or

    9th month of 1836 at the Ichimura

    see kuniyoshi db

    http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/Actor%20triptychs%201833,%20Part%20II%20(3-4).htm

    have a look at these two examples/explanation of the scene
    https://ukiyo-e.org/image/famsf/5050161212710027
    https://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/kabuki/en/play/play2.html

    maybe I.Nagy will be able to read some of the names/roles

    • tanuki

      Thank you so much Suzanne.
      I still wonder why there are so many names (?) in this banzuke. I doubt the acting and music staff of this play was so large. So?
      I guess having the translation of some of these names (often starting by the same kanji) might help...

  • lucienne parkan

    This is a more modern print but look at the number of musicians/geishas
    https://www.dh-jac.net/db/nishikie/results.php?f3=M348-045-02&enter=portal&lang=en

  • Horst

    It took me few hours but I think I found the solution.
    The print is not a "banzuke" but a New Years surimono Combined with the wish "May you live a thousand years" (Senshū banzei kana), ordered and paid for by the united Shamisen players. To the audience, to the actors and most of all probably to the theater owners.
    It's a long list of names that have "signed together".
    The first kanji of most names is strange, but in my opinion it can only be "竹" (take).
    Some names can then be read with this, for example 竹本町太夫 (Takemoto Chōtayū) and 竹本重太夫 (Takemoto Judayu), the names of famous Shamisen players.
    Here is another surimono with the names of Shamisen players: https://www.dh-jac.net/db/nishikie/results-big.php?f44[]=%E5%99%A8%E7%89% A9&-format=results-1p.htm&-max%20=30&singleskip=7&enter=portal&lang=yes&skip=0#
    However, the spelling on the print differs greatly from the transcription in the description.

  • tanuki

    The surimono is pasted on this thick double oban of the same size. Can you help me understand this text to know if it is related to the surimono or not?   

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