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Subject:Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: Stan Sat, Apr 11, 2026 IP: 73.68.5.180

Friends,

I recently purchased the triptych below. I am trying to determine the actors, the play, and when it was performed.

Given the Kunisada signature, I think it is one of his earlier works. The date seal looks to me to be an Owl year. From left to right, I think the actors are Bando Misugoro, Bando Hikosaburo, and Ichimura Kakitsu. I can't figure out the actor on the right.

That is as far as I got. Can anyone confirm my analysis so far and tell me the actor on the right and the actor's roles?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Cheers,
Stan





Subject:Re: Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: Horst Graebner Sun, Apr 12, 2026

The signature reads "Kunisada ga", but the artist is Kunisada II.
The date on the print is 7/1865.
Actors (from left): Bandō Mitsugorō VI (坂東三津五郎), Bandō Hikosaburō V (坂東彦三郎), Ichimura Kakitsu IV (市村家橘), Sawamura Tosshō II (沢村訥升)
The character names are difficult to read; the resolution of the photo is too low for me.
The play sholud be: Musume Hyōban Zen'aku Kagami (処女評判善悪鏡), performed at the Ichimura theater, Edo, in 8/1865.
publisher Maruya Jinpachi, date on print 7/1865

Subject:Re: Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: Stan Mon, Apr 13, 2026

Hi Horst,

Thank you very much for your help. I thought it might be Kunisada II, but I picked the wrong Kunisada. Again, thanks!

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: Stan Tue, Apr 14, 2026

Just for confirmation, here are the 3 cartouches from left to right.

Cheers,
Stan







Subject:Re: Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: Horst Graebner Tue, Apr 14, 2026

Mitsugorō VI: Tokubei tsuma Ohatsu (徳兵衛妾お初) [Tokubei’s wife Ohatsu]
Hikosaburō V: the first 6 kanji of the role name read Manoya Tokubei (真野屋徳兵衛)
Kakitsu IV: Subashiri Okuma (洲走☆☆熊)
Tosshō II: Setaya (?) Kinosuke (瀬田屋喜之助)
So the play is confirmed.

Subject:Re: Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: Stan Wed, Apr 15, 2026

Hi Horst,

Again, thank you very much for your help/confirmation.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Kunisada Print Identification Help
Posted By: I.Nagy Wed, Apr 15, 2026

Stan,
Thank for the high resolution photos.
Horst,
Just a tiny little addition,
真野屋徳兵衛 実は神刀徳次 (Alternative kana: は←者)
洲走おくま (Alternative kanas: お←於 く←具 ま←満)

Regards,
I. Nagy



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