Kikkō jō 橘香帖
FSC-GR-780.43

Commentary by Ann Yonemura

Posted November 2014

Arashi Kichisaburo II (1769–1821) was a renowned kabuki actor in Osaka. Like many actors in that city, he was also a poet. He used the literary name Rikan. Kabuki actors in Osaka developed distinctive dramatic styles of acting that contrasted to the flamboyant styles of Edo. Osaka actors were encouraged and supported by loyal fan clubs, writers, and theatrical associates.

Upon the death of Arashi Rikan, this luxuriously printed album of only ten sheets was created as a memorial publication of poems composed by those who had known him as a prominent member of Osaka’s theatrical and literary circles. Three illustrations of the actor in stage roles are printed in color. The first two—a full portrait of Arashi Rikan in action onstage and a head-and-shoulders portrait (ōkubi-e)—are printed in rich color with luminous mica, embossing, and metallic pigments. Fine printing requiring technical finesse was characteristic of Osaka theatrical images. This album was printed at a high standard of quality that resembles privately commissioned surimono prints, which were often produced by and for poetry clubs. Evocative landscapes illustrate the two other pages of verse.

At present this album is the only known copy of this memorial publication, which was probably printed in a small edition for distribution among Rikan’s friends. It remains a beautiful and poignant testament to the loss that was felt in the cultural community of Osaka upon Rikan’s death. Among those who composed verses and offered them as personal tributes were fellow actors, artists, and poets whose lives were intertwined in a network of personal relationships now preserved by the fortunate survival of this fragile volume.

Selected reading:

Roger S. Keyes and Keiko Mizushima, The Theatrical World of Osaka Prints (Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1973).

Kikkōjō