The Actors Ōtani Oniji I and Segawa Kikujirō
Torii Kiyonobu II captured a dramatic moment on a Kabuki stage that would have excited spectators as the story unfolded. Onna Danshichi, on the ground, defends herself with a water bucket as her enemy Shōbei swings a sword down on her. Kiyonobu II amplifies vicious Shōbei’s physical power with exaggerated muscles. This was a hallmark of the Torii school, a lineage of artists who specialized in designing popular actor portraits.
With Hayashi Tadamasa (1853–1906) by 1906 [1];
With Wakai Kanesaburō (1834–1908) by 1908 [2];
With Yamanaka & Company, New York, by July 1932;
Purchased from Yamanaka & Company, New York, by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, July 1932
NOTES:
[1] Collectors’ seals for Hayashi Tadamasa and Wakai Kanesaburō both appear on this print. The dates of their respective ownership, however, are unknown. They are listed in this order in the provenance based on the last possible date each could have owned the print, but it is possible the sequence of their ownership could have been reversed.
[2] Collectors’ seals for Hayashi Tadamasa and Wakai Kanesaburō both appear on this print. The dates of their respective ownership, however, are unknown. They are listed in this order in the provenance based on the last possible date each could have owned the print, but it is possible the sequence of their ownership could have been reversed.
