Utagawa Kuniyoshi

1797-1861

Tenjiku Tokubei
(Tenjiku Tokubei)

signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga, publisher's seal Ue, Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiya Uhei of Fukusendo), censor's seal Kiwame, ca. 1825-1830

oban tate-e 14 5/8 by 9 7/8 in., 37.1 by 25 cm

Tenjiku Tokubei (1612-1692) was a Japanese explorer and writer who traveled widely, including trips through various kingdoms in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. His first name, 'Tenjiku,' is an East Asian name for India, and was given to him as a result of his many travels. In kabuki theater, the historical figure took on a magical aura. In a number of plays he was made a wizard, most notably in Otonikiku Tenjiku Tokubei, known as Tenjiku Tokubei Ikoku-Banashi (The Tale of Tokubei from India). The original production, staged in 1804 with the actor Onoe Matsusuke I (1744-1815) in the lead role of Tokubei, started a cultural phenomenon. The role would later appear in a number of revivals and adaptations, including ghost plays. Following the original staging, the character of Tokubei continued to be played by members of the Onoe family line.

In this composition, Tokubei is depicted straddling a massive toad dressed in decorative golden robes. In the kabuki play, he enters as a ship captain, departing on one of his many voyages. On board is Sokan, a Korean warrior and retainer of the Ming family who had come to Japan to defeat the Shogun. He bears a sword, Namikirimaru, and a mirror which possessed magical powers and allowed him to perform so-called 'toad magic.' Sokan reveals himself to be Tokubei's father and, expressing a desire that Tokubei fulfill his father's wishes to see the Shogun overthrown, passes the sword, mirror, and their complementary incantations onto his son. Tokubei goes on to convert a enormous stone into a fire breathing toad, which he uses to attempt an assault on the shogunate. Unfortunately for Tokubei, he overreaches and loses his magical powers, no longer posing a threat to shogunal security.

References:
Robert Schaap, Heroes and Ghosts: Japanese Prints by Kuniyoshi, 1797-1861, 1998, p. 41, cat. no. 7
James R. Brandon and Samuel L. Leiter, Kabuki Plays On Stage: Darkness and Desire, 1804-1864, 2002, pp. 34-35
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (mfa.org), from the Bigelow Collection, accession no. 11.16470

(inv. no. 10-4691)

price: Sold