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Subject:Toyokuni II Triptych Help
Posted By: Stan Sat, Sep 26, 2026 IP: 73.68.5.180

Japanese Experts,

I need a little help with a print I bought. I haven't been able to find it online with image searches. It is an actor triptych by Toyokuni II (1777-1835) (I believe). He used the Toyokuni name from Toyokuni I's death in 1826 until his death in 1835.

I am trying to identify the actors, their roles, and where/when the play might have been performed. I think the actors are (from left to right):
1) Bando Mitsugoro III
2) Iwai Kumesaburo II
3) Matsumoto Koshiro V

I would appreciate confirmation of the names and help with their roles.

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Cheers,
Stan





Subject:Re: Toyokuni II Triptych Help
Posted By: I.Nagy Sat, Sep 26, 2026

From right to left,

今五郎法印  - Imagorō Hōin
松本幸四郎 - Matsumoto Kōshirō

羽生やのかさね - Hanyūya no Kasane
岩井粂三郎 - Iwai Kumesaburō

舩頭与右衛門 - Sendō Yoemon
坂東三津五郎 - Bandō Mitsugorō

Signature,
豊国画 - Toyokuni-ga - Painted by Toyokuni
Censor's seal,
改 - Aratame - Approved
Publishers mark,
山久 Yamamotoya Kyūbei

With regards,
I.Nagy


Subject:Re: Toyokuni II Triptych Help
Posted By: Stan Sun, Sep 27, 2026

Thank you I. Nagy, for your kind help. This will help me research my print.

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Toyokuni II Triptych Help
Posted By: Horst Graebner Mon, Sep 28, 2026

Comparing Waseda 100-8619 / 100-8620 / 100-8621

The print on the left features a different kimono design with different colors; the character's name is written as Kinugawa Yoemon (きぬ川与右衛門).
The middle print is slightly altered; only a portion of the kimono has different colors. The character's name remains the same.
The sheet on the right is different: it depicts the actor Kataoka Ichizō I as Kingorō (金五郎).
The play is "Zensei Kogane no hana," performed at the Ichimura Theater in March 1830.

In the print shown here, the figure on the right is Matsumoto Kōshirō V as Kingorō hōin (金五郎法印) [not 今五郎法印]. I believe this print is a later variant.
It is either a *mitate* (parody/allusion) print or was intended for a different performance that ultimately could not take place due to the death of Bandō Mitsugorō III in December 1831.

Two small corrections: The censorship seal is *kiwame* (極). The publisher is Yamamotoya Heikichi (logo: the character *kyū* [久] beneath a double roof)

Subject:Re: Toyokuni II Triptych Help
Posted By: Stan Sat, Oct 03, 2026

Thank you, Horst, for your detailed information on my triptych.

Cheers,
Stan


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