Bando Tamasaburo V as Agemaki

This print portrays Bando Tamasaburo V in the role of Agemaki, the high-ranking oiran of the Yoshiwara pleasure district in the kabuki classic Sukeroku: Flower of Edo (Sukeroku Yukari no Edozakura), one of the kabuki juhachiban — the eighteen celebrated Ichikawa family pieces. Tamasaburo V is among the most acclaimed onnagata performers of the postwar era, and Kokei's composition likely captures him in the elaborate katsuyama hairstyle ornamented with multiple kanzashi hairpins, set against the sumptuous layered robes befitting an oiran of Agemaki's status. Kokei's characteristic approach to yakusha-e (actor portraits) emphasizes the face in close or three-quarter view, with careful rendering of shironuri white makeup and subtly rouged lips. Graduated bokashi tones would modulate the background to draw focus to the figure. Printed from multiple hand-carved blocks on washi, the image belongs to Kokei's ongoing series produced during his residency at the Kabuki-za, where he documented leading performers in their signature roles.