Best-selling Novel→ Theatrical Performance →Multi-colored Wood-block Prints
●Toyohara Kunichika “Eight Samurai from “Satomi Hakkenden”: Inuyama Dōsetsu”

“Nansō Satomi Hakkenden” by Kyokutei Bakin became a bestselling novel and was dramatized repeatedly. Here kabuki actor, Bandō Hikosaburō Ⅴ is playing the role of Inuyama Dōsetsu.

Premiere Cast of Masterpiece

●Utagawa ToyokuniⅢ　“Kabuki Actor, Kawarasaki GonjūrōⅠas Obō Kichisa, Iwai Kumesaburō Ⅲas Ojō Kichisa and Ichikawa Kodanji Ⅳas Oshō Kichisa”

This is the appearance of the first performance of “Sannin Kichisa Kuruha no Hatsugai”. This performance is still being played now since its first performance in the New Year of 1860.

Dream Contest of Three Top Edo Stars

●Katsukawa Shunkō “Three Popular Aspects of Edo”
　Three top Edo stars during the period of 1781-1801 are depicted: Tanikaza who was Yokozuna (highest rank in sumo), Ichikawa Ebizō, and Kasen who is the courtesan of ōgi-ya house. Tanikaze and Kasen are playing a drinking game and Ebizō is serving the role of referee. Tanikaze was the sumo wrestler who boasted an impressive strength of a lifetime winning average of 95%.

3. Personages　of the Incident and Story

Among the popular Edo stars, some people were involved in actual incidents that occurred at the time. The 47 Rōnin and Ōishi Kuranosuke who caused The Genroku Akō Incident gained much popularity and were dramatized. A representative work called “Kanadehon Chūshingura” was one of the most popular, playing to full houses whenever it was performed. Even in the present day, over 250 years later, this repertoire still remains popular. In addition to “Kanadehon Chūshingura”, we will also introduce ukiyo-e prints depicting fictional characters from the best selling novels including Ashikaga Mitsuuji from “Nisemurasaki Inaka Genji” and the Eight Samurai from the tale of “Nansō Satomi Hakkenden”.

●Utagawa Yoshitora “The Drama “Chūshingura”: The Scene of the Raid on the Enemy’s Mansion”

The Genroku Akō Incident was an incident in which Ōishi Kuranosuke and 47 rōnin banded together to avenge their lord’s death. This picture depicts the scene of the revenge as they raid Kira’s mansion.

Woman who is Fond of the Play

●Utagawa Kunisada “Comparison of Favorite Modern Actors: Hairdressing”

　Segawa Kikunojō Ⅴ is represented inside the hand mirror shaped frame. He seems to be the favorite kabuki actor of the women depicted in the near front of picture.

Popular Great-granddaddy
●Toyohara Kunichika “Interlude (nakamaku) of the Kabuki-za Theater , “Sarayashiki Keshō no Sugatae”: Ichikawa Danjūrō Ⅸas Asayama Tetsuzan, Onoe Kikugorō Ⅴas Spirit of Okiku, Onoe Matsusuke Ⅳas Iwabuchi Chūta and Onoe KikushirōⅢas Chūgen Arisuke“

The spirit of Okiku was played by kabuki actor, Onoe Kikugorō Ⅴ who was the acting master of the Meiji period and great-grandfather of the present Onoe Kikugorō Ⅶ. The figure depicted at the bottom of the screen is Ichikawa DanjūrōⅨ, who was his rival and was praised as a holy actor (gekisei).

Topics about television celebrities, film actors and star athletes are one of the greatest interests for people today. This was also the same for Edo people. They cheered kabuki actors who made defiant gestures on stage, got excited about sumo wrestlers on the playing field, and had a longing for high-ranking courtesans in Yoshiwara. These Edo stars were often depicted in the works of ukiyo-e. Thus, people who couldn’t actually see these celebrities would have felt closer to them by seeing these ukiyo-e prints.

This exhibition will focus on the various celebrities that animated the city of Edo. These include kabuki actors like Ichikawa Danjūrō and Onoe Kikugorō, legendary sumo wrestler Tanikaze, and the beautiful high-ranking courtesan Ōishi Kuranosuke, also known for the story of the Genroku Akō Incident. Even famous fictional characters like Ashikaga Mitsuuji, main character of bestseller novel “Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji” will be introduced.

Ebi-sama (Ichikawa Eibizō) is Very Popular All through the Ages

Once you see him, you can’t forget his impressive appearance. This is one of the famous pieces of ukiyo-e prints of bust portrait by ukyio-e artist, Tōshūsai Sharaku. The Kabuki actor depicted here is Ichikawa EbizōⅠ. His former name is Ichikawa Danjūrō Ⅴ and he is the ancestor of present Ichikawa Ebizō Ⅺ, who was recently the topic of conversation in the Japanese TV. Ichikawa EbizōⅠ was said to have transmitted well the art of performance of the Ichikawa Family and gained enormous popularity as a virtuoso. On the other hand, he was said to have had an unconstrained character, enjoying kyōka (popular comic poems) and having cultural exchanges with leading cultural figures such as Ōta Nampc. This picture depicts the appearance of Ichikawa Ebizō Ⅰ, playing the role of Takemura Sadanoshin in the play titled “Koinyōbō Somewake Tazuna” performed at Kawarasaki Theater in May 1794.

Appearance of the inside of the Crowded Theater

●Utagawa ToyokuniⅢ　“Odori Keiyō Edoe no Sakae”

This is the appearance of the interior of the kabuki theater in the late Edo period. Kabuki actor, Kawarasaki GonjūrōⅠ（later Ichikawa DanjūrōⅨ）appeared with the dressing as “shibaraku” on hanamichi (passage through audience to stage).

1. Edo Stars -Kabuki Actor-

Kabuki actors gained much popularity of the Edo people. Kabuki actors like Ichikawa Danjūrō, Onoe Kikugorō, and Bandō Mitsugorō, who produced acting masters over the generations were the envy of all Edo people. In the Edo period, many ukiyo-e wood-block prints about such stars were often published. Here we will exhibit the works of ukiyo-e wood-block prints depicted by groups like the Katsukawa School and Utagawa School, together with episodes of legendary kabuki actors.

2. Sumo Wrestler and High-ranking Courtesan –Stars in Edo city

Edo stars were not limited to just kabuki actors. Celebrities in various genres were depicted in the works of ukiyo-e wood-block prints, including sumo wrestlers like Tanikaze who boasted incomparable strength, high-ranking courtesans in Yoshiwara that were the lofty dreams of the common Edo people, and Fukai Shidōken who became popular by tsuji kōshaku (storytelling in the street). Here we will introduce figures of popular celebrities who dominated the subject of the conversation of the town.