About This Print

One of seven prints by Ogawa Hyōe that appeared in the magazine Shin Nigao. Although the primary purpose behind the magazine was to advertise the Kabuki theater and renew interest in actor prints, five prints in the last issue of the magazine, issue #5, portrayed individuals involved in the month-long celebrations of Emperor Yoshihito's (Emperor Taishō) enthronement in November 1915.  This portrait is of Hagiwara Taneko, a young woman descended from court lineage, chosen as one of five dancers to perform the ancient dance Gosechi no Mai at the Coronation celebration.  A second print portraying the actress Seikanji Utako as Gosechi no Maihime (IHL Cat. #851) was also contributed to this same issue by Ogawa.

The website of the Institute of Taiwan History lists both Seikanji Utako and Hagiwara Taneko as taking part in the preparations for the Grand Ceremony of the Imperial Coronation held in Kyoto.  

For more information on this short-lived magazine whose purpose was to advertise the Kabuki theater and renew interest in actor prints, see the article Shin Nigao Magazine.

Reporting on the Coronation Entertainment - The Straits Times, 28 August 1915

In regard to the entertainments to be given on the first day of the Coronation, the ancient "quintuple dance" known as Gosechi-no-Mai will constitute, according to the Coronation Committee the most prominent part of the programme. The origin of this dance is said to be traceable as far back as the days of Emperor Temmu (697 a.d.) The ladies who will perform the dance next November at the Coronation celebration have been selected from among the unmarried daughters of the descendants of ancient courtiers, to the number of eight, of whom three form the reserve.  The ladies vary in age from 19 to 23 years, and will appear dressed in ancient costumes.

Print Details

IHL Catalog	#280
Title	Hagiwara Taneko [dressed to perform] Gosechi no Maihime   姫舞之節五 (萩原種子) Gosechi no Maihime (Hagiwara Taneko)
Magazine	Shin Nigao (New Portraits) volume five 新似顔　第一年五編
Artist	Ogawa Hyōe (active c. 1915)
Signature	not signed on print. 小川兵衛 畫 printed on page print was originally tipped to.
Seal
Date	November 1915
Edition	First and only edition printed in magazine Shin Nigao
Publisher	Nigaodō 似顔洞
Carver and Printer	Igami Bonkotsu (1875-1933)
Impression	excellent
Colors	excellent
Condition	excellent - mica highlights on robe
Miscellaneous
Genre	shin hanga (new prints); nigao-e
Format	koban
H x W Paper	7 3/8 x 4 5/8 (18.7 x 11.7 cm)
Collections This Print	The British Museum 1991,1112,0.193.5 (entire magazine, only front cover shown); Art Research Center Ritsumeikan University BM-SJ193-05  (British Museum's copy of entire magazine with all pages shown)
Reference Literature