National Anthropological Archives

Guide to MS 7163 Reproduction of portion of Scenes from the Theaters and the Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarters

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS7163
Creators:
Hishikawa, Moronobu, approximately 1618-approximately 1694
Dates:
circa 1650
Languages:
Japanese
.
Physical Description:
1 Photomechanical print
12 x 17 inches
Repository:
Container:
7163

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of a reproduction of a portion of painting by Moronobu. The original painting is on a 7-meter-long scroll and depicts various scenes from theaters and the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters is Edo (Tokyo).
The print shows actors on the stage and members of the audience. Some of the latter, as well as the characters depicted by the actors, are named. A cover sheet includes a biographical sketch of the artist.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
Hishikawa Moronobu was as a Japanese artist known for popularizing the ukiyo-e genre of woodblock prints and paintings in the late 17th century. His representative works depict the world of the courtesan and the theater.

Administration

Custodial History
The reproduction was acquired in China by Dr. Rhea Blue in the 1930s. It was donated to the Smithsonian in 1970. It was transferred from the object collections of the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives by Chang-su Houchins in March 1984.
Existence and Location of Originals
The Tokyo National Museum holds the original painting in Scenes from the Theaters and the Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarters (A-59).
Processing Information
Transliterations, translations, and other data furnished by Chang-su Houchins, Department of Anthropology. She consulted Richard Lane, Images from the floating world: the Japanese print, Friboug, Sitzerland, 1978, and Laurence P. Roberts, A dictionary of Japanese artists, Tokyo and New York, 1976.

Digital Content


Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
MS 7163 Reproduction of portion of Scenes from the Theaters and the Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarters, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
NAA INV 10000029

Variant Title

Variant Title
Hishikawa Moronobu hitsu engeki no zu
Picture of a scene in a play at the theater, by Hishikawa Moronobu
17th century (original)


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Japanese Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Works of art Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Prints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Theater Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Japan Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
East Asia Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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