Kabuki actor patterns and Kabuki crests

Edoround fanUkiyoe Toyokuni carved bamboo

Originally thisround fandepicted a scandal involving a Kabuki actor.round fanwas created from a painting depicting a scandal involving a Kabuki actor.

Ibasenhas a strong connection with Kabuki, and in the early nineteenth century, as a promiscuity of actors, as we now call them, Kabuki actors were depicted inround fanThe painting was sold as what we now call a promaid for actors.

Toyokuni sculpture belowwisteriatogether with the Kabuki, which survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Second World War.round fanThese two patterns are the only paintings that have survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Second World War.

round fanis here

Edoround fanUkiyoe Toyokuni carvingwisteria」

This is a Kabuki play "Kanjincho".

In the Edo period, Ukiyoe played the role of advertising media for Kabuki and were sold for each performance.

It seems that people in Edo knew which actor was which by the patterns and family crests on the yukata, obi, and hand towel.

round fanis here

Edofolding fan KUMADORI

Kumatori is a method of creating perspective by using colors and shades of colors.

It is said that Danjuro Ichikawa I started kumadori in Kabuki. It is said that he got the idea for kumadori from joruri puppets.

Kabuki began in the Edo period (1603-1867), when playhouses were dimly lit without electric lighting, making it difficult to see the actors' expressions.

The colors of the kumadori also have meanings: red for justice, blue for evil, brown for demons, and there are about a hundred different shapes and forms.

Kumauchifolding fanis here

Kabuki Shading List

IbasenKabuki shadingfolding fanYou can see which of the three Sumidori are the three Sumidori of Kabuki from the list on the left.

The leftmost one is sujiguma, which is most often used in Kabuki, and is a typical kumakuri of aragoto.

『arrowheadSoga Goro in

The middle one is Mukimiguma, a little delicate and sexy.

Soga Goro in "Sukeroku Yui Edo SakuraSukeroku

Sukeroku is used in the role of Saruguma, a dashing warrior with a funny and comical personality.

Kobayashi in "Kotobuki Soga no Mukai" (The Face of Kotobuki Soga)Asahina

Various Yakusha Patterns

Yakusha patterns were invented by kabuki actors in the Edo period to promote their respective troupes. Combining and developing several types of patterns, yakusha crests are unique and stylishly shaped. These yakusha patterns are the ultimate in sophistication, connecting kabuki actors with the audience.

Shikanjima

Popularized by kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan I (Nakamura Utaemon III).

Four stripes with ringspatternA design in which "four rings" is combined with "shikan" in "shikan".

It is still used today for yukata (light cotton kimono) and hand towels.

YOKIKOTOKIKU

It was used for Onoe Kikugoro's Kabuki costumes.

The picture of an axe reads "yoki," below which is "koto," and the round shape is the flower of "chrysanthemum.

It means "to hear good things."

It is said that this piece was adopted to compete with Ichikawa Danjuro's "Kamawanu-bun," which was popular at the time.

folding fanClick here for

Kamawanu

Known as the pattern used by Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro.

This pattern, popular in the Edo period, consists of a picture of a sickle, a picture of a wheel, and the character "Nu" superimposed on top of each other, in reference to "Kamawanu".

folding fanClick here for

Mitsugoro Stripe

A pattern named after the Kabuki actor Mitsugoro Bando III.

It is a lattice pattern of three, five, and six stripes crossing each other vertically and horizontally.

Sangoroku" ▶︎ "Mitsugorou" stripe

Also called Mitsugorou lattice.

Kikugoro lattice

Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro III used this latticework, and it became popular.

Its four and five stripes are combined into a lattice, and the character for "ki" and the character for "ro" are placed alternately in the lattice to form "kikugoro" and Kikugoro's name.

Kikugoro lattice. Kikugoro dyeing. Also known as Kikugoro dyeing.

Ichimura lattice

A favorite of Kabuki actor Uzaemon Ichimura XII.

The character "ra" is used between one horizontal and six vertical lattices: "ichiroku-ra" ▶ ▶ "ichi-mura" ▶ "ichi-mura" ▶ "ichi-mura" ▶ "ichi-mura".

There is also a "torn Ichimura lattice" in which the lattice stripes are partially torn.

Kabuki patternfolding fan

Kabuki crests, like patterns, have also been used for stage costumes and prop tenugui hand towels.

Ichikawa Danjuro's three masu crests are well-known.

Three monkey crest

The "three monkey crest" is a stylish pattern of three monkey crests of Omodakaya, the family crest of Omodakaya, a famous nashien (pear orchard) family, scattered in the sun and in the shade throughout.

This family crest is also used by the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke on his stage props.

folding fanClick here to see

Mimasumon

This crest was invented by Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro I from the "lightning bolt pattern" and later became the crest of the Ichikawa clan.

The "San-masu" pattern is a pattern of large, medium, and small Masu (bowls), arranged in a box and viewed from the top. There are many variations, such as those with "San Masu" scattered or with "San Masu" arranged between the stripes.

The word "Masu" is thought to be good luck, as it is related to the word "increase. It is also called "three nested Masu".

folding fanClick here to see

Tenugui Hand Towelfolding fanYakusha design, purple

Tenugui Pattern Cottonfolding fanThe pattern is

A combination of chic, light purple hanji-mono

Shikanjima
Axe and chrysanthemum
Kamawanu
Mitsugoro Stripe
Kikugoro lattice
・Asano-ha deisign
Checkered pattern, etc.

folding fanClick here to see

San Masu Mon pattern offolding fanand fan bag

Edofolding fanSet No.25, double-sided, three Masuji patterns

Pattern of three Masu patternsfolding fanThe bag is also embroidered and becomes a set product.

folding fanClick here to see the set.

San Masumonfolding fanBack side of

The back side of the "SAMASUMASUMO" is a bright blue.

The back side offolding fanis here

IbasenKabukifolding fanBag, 3 Masu

three square pegs in a square boxfolding fanThis design is also available if you want to match with

This design is also available for those who are interested in the design of the "Masumon".

folding fanClick here for the bag

Various patterns

The Yoshiwara Tsunagi, the flag marks used by firefighters during the Edo period (1603-1868), and other patterns symbolizing the Edo period (1603-1868) are available.

Yoshiwara Tsunagi

Yoshiwaratsugi" is also known as "Kurutsugi.

It comes from "Yoshiwara," the largest brothel in the Edo period, and is still used today as a representative pattern for hand towels and yukata (summer kimonos).

Yoshiwaratsunagi: red and navy blue

The regular pattern of red and black vertically on both sides is called "Yoshiwaratsugi," also known as "Kuru Tsunagi.

This pattern is also used in the ukiyoe cat design by Kuniyoshi. Kuniyoshi's uniqueness is expressed casually.

folding fanClick here to see

Cloak

A kind of banner used by each group of firefighters in the Edo period.

It has a head at the top that represents the clan, and a long, thin decoration hanging from the top called a "baren," with a tassel made of paper or leather.

It is held in the hand and is made to dance when swung up or rotated.

The fun is extended by comparing each group's unique bamboo screen with the one of the other group.

folding fanClick here to see

Kitcho Pattern

Designs depicting objects considered auspicious are called kisho-monyo (auspicious design).

Please see here for a variety of kisho-moyo patterns.

Kitcho pattern is here.

Related products

Ukiyoe Edoround fanPictures (Nishiki-e and Yamato-type) are printed byIbasenis a multi-colored printround fanprints (nishiki-e and yamato-type) were produced as multicolor prints (uchiwa-e) by the publishers. This exhibition is based on the only existing woodblock prints,IbasenThe prints were printed and produced by