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An image of Agemaki by TAKAHASHI Hiromitsu

TAKAHASHI Hiromitsu

(Japan 1959– )

Title
Agemaki
Place of origin
Japan
Period
Heisei period 1989 - → Japan
Year
1991
Media category
Print
Materials used
kappa stencil
Edition
7/8
Dimensions

73.0 x 80.0cm image; 85.0 x 61.0cm sheet

Signature & date
Signed l.r., pencil "Hiromitsu". Not dated.
Credit
Gift of the artist 1993
Accession number
465.1993
Copyright
© TAKAHASHI Hiromitsu
Location
Not on display
Further information

Agemaki was a leading courtesan in the Yoshiwara gay quarters of Edo (the old name for Tokyo) during the Edo period (1615-1867). She has been immortalised in the one-act Kabuki play Sukeroku, the name of the most famous dandy of Edo and the hero of Edo townsmen. Sukeroku and an evil samurai, the bearded Ikyu, contend over Agemaki in a comic and emotive play that is one of the so-called Kabuki Eighteen Favourites which were selected by the famous Danjuro line of actors. Typical of a high-ranking courtesan of the Yoshiwara district, Agemaki has an elaborate hairstyle and wears her obi tied at the front.

Takahashi was born in Kanagawa were he still lives. He was educated at Nihon University.

Jackie Menzies, Contemporary Japanese Prints: The Urban Bonsai, 1992, pg. 92.

Bibliography (1)

Jackie Menzies (Australia) (Author), Contemporary Japanese Prints : The Urban Bonsai, Sydney, 1992, 92, 99 (colour illus.). cat.no. 60

Exhibition history (11)

The Urban Bonsai, Queensland Art Gallery, 04 Mar 1992–04 May 1992.

The Urban Bonsai, National Art Gallery, Wellington, 20 Jun 1992–09 Aug 1992.

The Urban Bonsai, Christchurch Art Gallery, 12 Sep 1992–29 Oct 1992.

The Urban Bonsai, Manawatu Art Gallery, 13 Nov 1992–10 Jan 1993.

The Urban Bonsai, The George Adams Gallery, Victorian Arts Centre, 18 Mar 1993–25 Apr 1993.

The Urban Bonsai, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 08 May 1993–01 Aug 1993.

The Urban Bonsai, Lewers Bequest and Penrith Regional Art Gallery, 11 Mar 1994–24 Apr 1994.

The Urban Bonsai, The Drill Hall Gallery, Australian National University, 19 May 1994–19 Jun 1994.

The Urban Bonsai, Campbelltown Arts Centre, 15 Jul 1994–21 Aug 1994.

The Urban Bonsai, Moree Plains Gallery, 11 Nov 1994–24 Dec 1994.

The Urban Bonsai, Tweed River Regional Art Gallery, 01 Feb 1995–05 Mar 1995.