DISCOVERART

Ippitsusai Buncho

Actor Nakamura Nakazō I as Yamaoka no Saburō, in “The Ever-Blooming Potted Tree” (Kawaranu Hanasakae Hachino Ki)

1769
Color woodblock print; hosoban
32.7 × 15.2 cm (12.9 × 6 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

As with hundreds of Kabuki plays, the libretto for the one that is the basis for this print, The Ever-Blooming Potted Tre e, has not survived. Its plot apparently involves a maple-viewing party made up of a group of beautiful women and demons. (Viewing the changing colors of maple leaves in the fall is still a popular Japanese pastime.) In the dance sequence pictured here, the actor is about to confront a thief who attempted to steal a treasured demon mask.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Ippitsusai Buncho

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II in Shakkyo Dance in the Play Soga Moyo Aigo no Wakamatsu, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Second Month, 1769The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II in Shakkyo Dance in the Play SoThe Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Otatsu-gitsune in the Play Nue no Mori Ichiyo no Mato, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Otatsu-gitsune in the Play NueThe Actor Segawa Kikunojo II, Possibly as Princess Ayaori in the Play Ima o Sakari Suehiro Genji (The Genji Clan Now at Its Zenith), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1768The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II, Possibly as Princess Ayaori inThe Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Nijo no Kisaki (?) in the Play Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the Seventh Month, 1770 (?)The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Nijo no Kisaki (?) in the Waitress at the Owariya TeahouseWaitress at the Owariya TeahouseThe Shrine Dancers (Miko) Ohatsu and OnamiThe Shrine Dancers (Miko) Ohatsu and OnamiThe Actor Yamashita Kyonosuke I in a Female RoleThe Actor Yamashita Kyonosuke I in a Female RoleThe Actor Matsumoto Koshiro III as Kikuchi Hyogo Narikage in the Play Katakiuchi Chuko Kagami (Vendetta: A Model of Loyalty and Filial Duty), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the Fifth Day of the Sixth Month, 1770The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro III as Kikuchi Hyogo Narikage in

More like this

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo Suketsune in the Play Edo no Fuji Wakayagi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1789Rantokusai Shundô — The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo SukeOnoe Matsusuke I as a Samurai Standing Beneath a Cherry TreeKatsukawa Shunei (Japanese, 1762–1819) — Onoe Matsusuke I asThe Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Sakura-maru in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1772Katsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Sakura-maThe actor Bando Mitsugoro II as Katsura Kokingo HaruhisaTōshūsai Sharaku — The actor Bando Mitsugoro II as Katsura KIchimura Kamezo I performing the Sanbaso danceTorii Kiyohiro — Ichimura Kamezo I performing the Sanbaso daThe Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Akita Jonosuke in the Play Onna Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773Katsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Akita JonoThe Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo Saemon Suketsune (?) in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1771 (?)Katsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo SaemActor Ichikawa Danjûrô V as Sukeroku in “The Seven Guises of Soga” (“Nanakusa Yosooi Soga”)Katsukawa Shunkо̄ — Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô V as Sukeroku in The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kudo Kanaishi (?) in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1772 (?)Katsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kudo KanThe Actor Kasaya Matakuro II as the Boatman Rokuzo in an Unidentified Play, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Fifth Month, 1770Katsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Kasaya Matakuro II as the BoatThe Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in an Unidentified RoleKatsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in an UnideThe Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Matsuo-maru in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1773Katsukawa Shunsho — The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Matsuo