Lot 11: TORII KIYOMASU I, (1694-1716), 1701

the actors Ichikawa Danjûrô I (active until 1704) as Yamagami Saemon and Yamanaka Heikurô (active until 1724) as Suzuka no Oji, powerfully drawn in the bravura style, are shown in the violent act of ripping apart an elephant from the play Keisei Oshôkun, performed in the Spring of Genroku 14 [1701] at the Nakamura-za, with seal and manuscript text written by an unidentified contemporary collector giving details of the play and the actors, publisher's seal of Emiya Kichiemon, signed Torii Kiyomasu no zu and sealed Kiyomasu

Condition Note: Fine impression, rather soiled, top right corner torn but otherwise in good condiiton

sumizuri-e: 63.1 by 32.2cm., 24 13/16 by 12 11/16 in

The only other known impression of this print is reproduced in Link, p.48, no.13; for a hommage print of the same subject by Kiyomitsu II, see ibid. p.98, no.91; Higuchi 23:2