Shirabyōshi Dancer: Woman of the Kenkyū Era [1190-99] (Shirabyōshi -- Kenkyū koro fujin (白拍子 建久頃婦人))

Shirabyōshi Dancer: Woman of the Kenkyū Era [1190-99] (Shirabyōshi -- Kenkyū koro fujin (白拍子 建久頃婦人))

Shirabyōshi were female entertainers of the Japanese Imperial Court known for performing traditional dances. They dressed in men's attire and often performed these dances for the gods. Their attire would consist of a tate-eboshi hat (worn by samurai), a tachi (samurai's sword), red hakama, a white and red suikan (male Shinto outfit), and a kawahori hand fan. They also traditionally wore white facial make-up that completely covered the face and neck, with painted eyebrows. Hair was worn long or pulled back in a long ponytail secured with a robbon (takenaga). Here, you can see the entertainer seated on the floor. In this print, she wears the red hakama and the white suikan, which is pulled down to expose the garment underneath. She holds a drum in reference to her musical talent. Her hair is down and her painted eyebrows and face are clearly apparent. In the corner of the room are arrows, bows, and a set of armor. The top left of the print has a blue and white striped curtain and the scene looks to the outdoors, featuring a pine and water.

Akiyama Buemon (秋山武右衛門) (Firm: Kokkeido 滑稽堂) (1868-1900). Block Cutter: N/A

1893 (Meiji 26)

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36 Beauties Compared (Sanjūroku kurabe (三十六佳撰))

print (medium), woodblock (technique), paper (material), 15 x 10 inches (dimensions)

Japanese

image

2019.0.14

St. Catherine University Archives and Special Collections