Artist: Ito Shinsui
Medium: Original Japanese Woodblock Print on Lithographic Poster
Series Title: Calendar & Poster Series - Tourist Bureau of the Japanese Railway Ministry
Edition: First
Date: 1932
Publisher: S. Watanabe Color Print Co.
Reference No.: The Female Image #80; pg. 75
Size: 23 -3/4 x 10 " (Naga-ban Format); 30 x 20 -3/4 " (Lithographic Poster)
Condition: Good/Fine. Due to size, handling creases throughout.
Notes:
Complete, as issued. The majority of prints were discarded or removed from the original lithograph poster. Dated and signed at upper left corner, with artist's red seal. Title printed in the bottom margin, Theatrical Dance entitled "Dojoji" Artist Ito Shinsui, Wood-cut Printing by S. Watanabe, Tokyo 1932.
The lithographic Japanese Government Railways poster displays a decorative background with the famous bronze temple bell that is so prominently used in the theatre play. Traditionally, the Dojoji play is said to be written by Kan'ami and revised by Zeami. It originated from a longer 15th century play called Kanemaki ("Wrapped in a Bell"). It is set in the Buddhist temple Dojo-ji in Kii Province, telling the story of a vengeful serpent-spirit and a temple bell. It is practically the only Noh play to use a substantial prop - a huge bell. Due to the bell in this play, dedicated Noh stages have a hook used for holding this bell in the center of the roof, and a metal loop at upstage left to hold the rope when lowering it; these are used only for this play. The part calls for a change of Noh costumes inside the bell, which is very challenging, due to being done alone, in the dark, in cramped quarters - normally a Noh costume is put on by several attendants. Accordingly, this role is reserved for the very best senior actors.