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Princess Tagoto playing a koto - origami frogs

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1852, Wood cut
Princess Tagoto playing a koto - origami frogs
Princess Tagoto playing a koto - origami frogs
Princess Tagoto playing a koto - origami frogs
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Category
Library Item
Item no
341
Title
Princess Tagoto playing a koto from 'The Tale of Gallant Jiraiya' ('Jiraiya goketsu monogatari').
Description
Actor portrait of Iwai Kumesaburo III. The female character, Princess Tagoto, is depicted playing a musical instrument, the koto (Japanese zither), in an ornately decorated chamber. Origami frogs have come to life and are shown hopping across the ground in front of her. The scene depicts the fantastical results of the magician Jiraiya's conjuring or 'toad magic'.
This print is part of an incomplete diptych which would have included the figure of the magician (to the left). The Kabuki play is 'The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya' ('Jiraiya gokestsu monogatari').
Artist / maker
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
Date
1852
Size
35.5 x 24.5 cm.
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
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