Kunisada: Sawamura Tanosuke III in Komachi Scene with Flowers 八重桐 沢村田之助

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)Title:  Sawamura Tanosuke III in Komachi Scene with Flowers 八重桐 沢村田之助  Series: The Seven Komachi 七小町の内 (Nana Komachi no uchi) Date: 1864 We see the great Sawamura Tanosuke III in a role that relates to one of the Seven Komachi, perhaps here Kayoi Komachi, or traveling Komachi, as she holds a traveling hat and seems to be listening coyly, her hand covered by her sleeve. Behind her is a pattern of chrysanthemum flowers and fall grasses, and inset we see a shamisen and two tobacco pipes. She wears a terrific kimono whose fabric sleeves are feature patterns with writing--perhaps these are some of Komachi’s own poems. Sawamura Tanosuke III was a legendary actor of female roles who suffered a terrible accident during a stage performance that led to permanent disability. She continued to perform for several years, even after undergoing several amputations due to her worsening condition, using stage equipment that was made just for her. The series title “Sev