Yoshitoshi 芳年: Sawamura Tanosuke in Purple Headscarf as Oboshi Rikiya 大星力弥 沢村田之助 (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)Title:  Sawamura Tanosuke as Oboshi Rikiya 大星力弥 沢村田之助  Date: 3/1862 The actor Sawamura Tanosuke III, his head tied with a purple scarf that heightens his unique features, looks behind him, one hand upon his sword hilt. It is nighttime and he carries a box that must be very important to the scene. He is in the role of Oboshi Rikiya Yoshikane, the fifteen-year-old son of Oboshi Yuranosuke, the leader of the Forty-seven Ronin in the kabuki telling of the story in the Kanadehon Chushingura play. His real name was Oishi Yoshikane, and although only a teenager, he committed seppuku along with the other 46 ronin in 1603. Tanosuke III was best known for playing female roles, so perhaps the youth of the character made them a good fit. There is another version of this design that has a full moon at upper left and has an additional Yoshikiri seal below the signature. This version is perhaps earlier, and has lacquer-imitating printing on the black of the kimo