Ukiyo-e Educational Catalog · Record 113487

Nakamura Utaemon Playing the Nine-tailed Fox

Artist / 作者
Yoshikuni Toyokawa
Date / 年代
1825
Medium / 技法
浮世絵 / Ukiyo-e / Edo / vam
Digital record / 画像記録
1238 × 2000 px
Source collection / 所蔵元
Victoria and Albert Museum
Published by / 公開者
森川ミドリ
Rights / 権利
Commercial license required
Attribution / 表記
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Catalog note / 解説

This print pictures the Kabuki performer Nakamura Utaemon playing Kiubi-no-Kitsunne (the Nine-tailed Fox). The Nine-tailed Fox is a mythical creature depicted in the Shan Han Jing, a Chinese classic text dates back to the 4th century BC. Stories of the Nine-tailed Fox then appear in various Chinese, Japanese and Korean legends. In the Japanese version, the Nine-Tailed Fox is said to have possessed Tamamo no Mae, a most beautiful and intelligent courtesan who causes Emperor Konoe to be extremely ill. She is chased away by Abe no Yasuchika and her true nature as the Nine-tailed Fox is revealed. After running away to the area of Nasu, the fox is killed and becomes a stone which continually rel…

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