Woman admiring Sanogawa Ichimatsu I from Triptych of hanging scrolls: Playing with reality (Kakemono sanpuku-tsui utsutsu no asobi)

Nishimura Shigenaga

Woodblock print, Woman admiring Sanogawa Ichimatsu I from 'Triptych of hanging scrolls: Playing with reality' (Kakemono sanpuku-tsui utsutsu no asobi) by Nishimura Shigenaga, published by Shusseidō in Edo (modern Tokyo), Japan, c. 1750. Hosoban format, key-block print. First established as an actor in Kyoto, Sanogawa Ichimatsu I went to Edo in 1741. Chequerboard motifs became popular after he wore them on stage. Known as the 'Ichimatsu pattern', they were closely associated with the actor and here adorn the admiring prostitute's obi (sash) . Uncut impressions of the complete hosoban triptych, printed with colour, can be found in the collections of the Royal Ontario Museum and MFA Boston. While the printed title identifies the Chester Beatty print as the right sheet of the set, this refers to the proper right. For the viewer, this would be the left sheet of the composition.