Title: 雨の五郎 A (Goro in the Rain A). Ed.20/40.

Artist: Hiromitsu Takahashi (1959-Present).

Signed: In pencil “Hiromitsu”.

Medium: Kappa-zuri stencil print. Printed on fibrous Japanese washi paper.

Paper Size: Sheet approx: W: 46.50cm x H: 61.00cm.

Condition: Fabulous - bright beautiful pigments. Unblemished, paper crisp, clean, & intact. Please refer to photos / Contact for any further questions & condition report.

Notes: In Japanese Kabuki, 五郎 "Goro" is typically associated with Soga no Gorō, one of the famous Soga brothers from the Tale of the Soga Brothers (曽我物語, Soga Monogatari). This tale of loyalty and revenge tells of the brothers—Soga no Goro and his brother Soga no Juro—seeking vengeance for their father's murder. Traditionally performed over the New Year, dance pieces and other "Soga-mono" (曽我物) plays devoted to each of the characters are also performed throughout the year. One of these dances is titled "Ame no Goro." In this fabulous piece, Hiromitsu's Soga no Goro (otherwise known as Tokimune (曾我時致)) is dressed in a headwrap, geta, and sword, with a 和傘 "wagasa" umbrella in his arm. I tremendous piece with beautiful vivid colour honouring the dance and story of the two brothers seeking blood vengeance.

Soga Plays - “Soga-mono (曽我物)” by Utagawa Kunisada: Soga Plays | Kunisada & Kabuki | The Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge.