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「曽我十郎祐成」 by Kobayashi Kiyochika — Japanese Woodblock print

「曽我十郎祐成」

by Kobayashi Kiyochika

Medium:
Woodblock print
Image courtesy of
Waseda University

Description

This single-subject print depicts Soga no Jūrō Sukenari, the elder of the two avenging Soga Brothers whose story forms one of the foundational narratives of Japanese theatrical culture. Jūrō is conventionally portrayed as the calmer, more reflective brother — qualities that Kiyochika may have emphasized through restrained posture and expression, in contrast to the fiercer characterizations typical of his brother Gorō. The print likely follows yakusha-e conventions in its use of strong outlines, close cropping to isolate the figure, and costume details identifying the character's theatrical role. Produced during a period when Soga plays remained staple kabuki repertoire, this print reflects the continued popular demand for theatrical portraiture during the Meiji era.

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Frequently Asked Questions

「曽我十郎祐成」 was created by Kobayashi Kiyochika (小林清親).