Gallery 8A: Theater Matchbox Prints

Kabuki+Actor+Portrait.+3.5+x+5.2+cm.++.jpg — Ichikawa Sadanji II as Marubashi Chuya

The woodblock printed matchbox labels in this gallery depict actors and/or scenes related to Kabuki Theater or the Bunraku stage. The first set of smaller format prints were primarily found pasted into a collector’s book dating to the 1920s-1930s. The images are approximately 3.2-3.3 cm by 5.1-5.3 cm.

Benkei in Kanjinchō — *Benkei* in *Kanjinchō*

Princess Chihaya in the Dance Drama Ōmori Hikoshichi — *Princess Chihaya in the Dance Drama* *Ōmori Hikoshichi*

Kabuki.+Dark+complexion+samurai.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Samurai+with+black+lavender+white+cloths.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Old+man+with+cane.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.++.jpg

Matchbox. Kabuki. Samarai holding closed fan.

Matchbox. Kabuki. Samarai is black and turquoise.

Matchbox. Kabuki. Samurai in Red and Yellow.

Matchbox. Kabuki. Samurai with black hat.

Matchbox. Kabuki. Samurai in Brown Checkered Clothes.

Kabuki.+Samurai.+Yellow+and+red.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1940s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Samurai.+Sword.+Shoji.+WB+Matchbox+Print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.4+x+5.2+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Woman+with+purple+and+white+Kimono.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s%3A+3.3+x+5.1+cm.++.jpg

Kabuki.+Woman.+Purple+and+red+kimono.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Woman.+Knife.+Yellow+kimono.+WB+Mtchbox+Print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Women+carrying+package.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.1+cm.+.jpg

Kabuki.+Woman+in+red+kimono.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1930s.+3.3+x+5.2+cm.++.jpg

Kabuki.+Woman+in+pink+and+blue.+WB+Matchbox+print.+1920s+to+1940s.+3.3+x+5.2+cm.+.jpg

The following matchbox prints are from the set Selection of Famous Kabuki Roles. The series identifies the theatrical role but not the specific actor or the play in which the character appeared. Each print also identifies the sponsor who supported the print production. The publisher and carver of this set has not been identified. The majority of translations are provided via a collection of similar prints at Mokuhankan which also provides the titles of plays that the roles likely derive from.

*Ohide no Kata* Sponsor: Shimizu Hisashi

Kabuki Matchbox set. 12 days of the 12 months.

The prints in this section are from a 1934 Kabuki Matchbox set of prints for each month of the year. The sponsor of the set is identified as Yamada and the block cutter as Kataoka. It is possible that the block cutter is also the artist. Of interest, several of these designs are identical to those found in postcards in this collection, although the borders differ. These prints are approximately 6.8 x 10.4 cm in size with mild variations in size between prints.

First Month: Actor as Soga Gorō in Kongen Kusazuribiki — *First Month: Actor as Soga Gorō in* *Kongen Kusazuribiki*

Second Month: Benkei in Kanjinchō — *Second Month:* *Benkei* in *Kanjinchō*

Third Month: Actor in Musume Dōjōji — *Third Month: Actor in* *Musume Dōjōji*

Fourth Month: Yasuna in Yasuna's Madness — *Fourth Month: Yasuna in* *Yasuna's Madness*

Fifth Month: Actor as Ōmori Hikoshichi — *Fifth Month: Actor as* *Ōmori Hikoshichi*

Sixth Month: Ono no Tōfū Watching a Frog — *Sixth Month:* *Ono no Tōfū* *Watching a Frog*

*Seventh Month: Actor as Kuzunoha in Ashiya Dōman Ōuchi Kagami*

Eighth Month: Actor in the Shiokumi Dance — *Eighth Month: Actor in the* *Shiokumi* *Dance*

Ninth Month: Actor in Imohori Chōja — *Ninth Month: Actor in* *Imohori Chōja*

Tenth Month: Actors in the Dance Drama Momijigari — *Tenth Month: Actors in the Dance Drama* *Momijigari*

Eleventh Month: Actor in the play Shibaraku — *Eleventh Month: Actor in the play* *Shibaraku*

The matchbox prints below depict puppets and puppet heads form the Bunraku stage. The puppet prints were part of a collection dating to the 1920’s - 1930s with images approximately 3.2-3.3 cm by 5.1-5.3 cm in dimension. The appearance of articulations in the hands in some of the prints reveal the Bunraku theme. The set of puppet heads are undated and are slightly larger at approximately 3.6- 3.7 x 5.5-5.6 cms.

Bunraku. Samurai in black and yellow clothing.

Unidentified+Artist.+WB+Matchbox+print.+Doll+Head+2+.jpg

Unidentified+Artist.+WB+Matchbox+print.+Doll+Head+3++.jpg