Paul Binnie

Scottish, b. 1967

Large-head Kabuki Portraits: Ichikawa Danshiro as Benkei
(Kabuki okubi-e: Kabuki okubi-e: Goh'iki Kanjinchou- Danshiro Benkei)

signed at upper left, Binnie, followed by artist's circular kanji seal, Bin-ni, the play title at upper right, Gohi'iki Kanjinchou, followed by the role and the actor, Benkei - Ichikawa Danshiro, numbered in pencil at lower right, 7/100, with date seal, Heisei hachi-nen (Heisei 8 [1996]), and signed in pencil on the bottom margin, Paul Binnie, ca. June 1996

oban tate-e 16 1/4 by 11 1/2 in., 41.2 by 29.2 cm

The Actor Ichikawa Danshiro IV (1946-2023) is in the role of Benkei from the play Gohi'iki Kanjincho (The Great Favorite Subscription List). The play is set at the end of the 12th century, following the defeat of the Heike clan. Benkei and his lord Yoshitsune sneak past a group of guards in the guise of priests. The beloved dance drama is still performed to this day, and was observed by the artist as he was composing this design.

On May 18, 2023, the body of Danshiro was found with his wife in the family home in Meguro, Tokyo. His son, Ichikawa Ennosuke (b. 1975) was discovered in a semi-conscious state, suggesting a suicide pact. Ennosuke recovered, and the following month he was charged with assisting his mother's suicide, the investigation into the death of Danshiro is ongoing.

Reference:
Paul Binnie: A Dialogue with the Past - The First 100 Japanese Prints, 2007, p. 80, no. 38

(inv. no. C-1996)

price: $650