Okumura Masanobu 菱川師宣

This perspective picture (uki-e) is based upon a modified version of the Western system of one-point perspective. It depicts the interior of the Nakamura Theater, one of the most famous and enduring kabuki theaters in Edo (modern Tokyo). The heroine of the play, an angry spirit disguised as a temple dancer (shirabyoshi), is entering from the left on the raised walkway. The monk who has rejected her advances is hiding under the bell, where he will be burned to death after she performs her dance, turns into a serpent, and breathes fire on the bell. The scene is from “Suehiro Soga, a Myriad of Birds: The Maiden of Dojo Temple,” which is part of the play Sazareishi Hirogenji. This 1744 performance was among the cycle of plays that celebrated the New Year.

This is a perspective picture (uki-e) based upon modified application of the Western system of one-point perspective. It depicts the interior of the Nakamura Theater, one of most famous and enduring kabuki theaters of Edo (modern Tokyo). The heroine of the play, an angry spirit disguised as a temple dancer (shirabyoshi), is entering from the left on the raised walkway. The monk who has rejected her advances is hiding under the bell, where he will be immolated after she performs her dance, turns into a serpent, and breathes fire on the bell. The scene is from Suehiro Soga, a Myriad of Birds: The Maiden of Dojo Temple (Suehiro Soga yonbon tsuzuki momochidori musume Dojoji), part of the play Sazareishi Hirogenji. This 1744 performance was part of the cycle of plays put on to celebrate the lunar new year.