Tokubei Collection

Ohatsu and Tokubei, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko...c1798/99)
Ohatsu and Tokubei, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko moyo Utamaro-gata)", Japan, c. 1798/99

Ohatsu and Tokubei, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko...c1798/99)
Ohatsu and Tokubei, from the series "Fashionable Patterns in Utamaro Style (Ryuko moyo Utamaro-gata)", Japan, c. 1798/99

The Actors Segawa Kikunojo II as Ohatsu and Ichikawa Yaozo II as her lover Tokubei in the... 1767
The Actors Segawa Kikunojo II as Ohatsu and Ichikawa Yaozo II as her lover Tokubei in the play "Yoni Osaka Nitsui no Meoto, " performed at the Ichimura Theater in the second month, 1767

View of the Seafront in Yokohama (Yokohama Kagandori no fukei), 5th month, 1870. Creator: Utagawa Hiroshige III
View of the Seafront in Yokohama (Yokohama Kagandori no fukei), 5th month, 1870

The Tsukiji Hotel in Tokyo (Tokyo Tsukiji hoteru kan), 5th month, 1870. Creator: Utagawa Hiroshige III
The Tsukiji Hotel in Tokyo (Tokyo Tsukiji hoteru kan), 5th month, 1870

Illustration of the Front Garden of the Tsukiji Hotel in the Eastern Capital (Toto... ca. 1868-72)
Illustration of the Front Garden of the Tsukiji Hotel in the Eastern Capital (Toto Tsukiji hoteru kan niwa mae no zu), ca. 1868-72

View of the Descent from a Mountain by Many from Pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji (Fuji mo... November, 1883)
View of the Descent from a Mountain by Many from Pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji (Fuji mode shoshina gesan no zu), November, 1883

Illustration of Foreign Residences and the Catholic Church in Yokohama (Yokoha... 10th month, 1870)
Illustration of Foreign Residences and the Catholic Church in Yokohama (Yokohama shokan tenshudo no zu), 10th month, 1870

Tamashima ittAc tenjiku tokubei tsukimoto inabanosuke, Actors in the roles of Tamashima Itto, Tenjuku Tokubei, and Tsukimoto Inabanosuke

Ofusa tokubei, Utagawa, Toyokuni, 1786-1865, artist, [between 1821 and 1830], 1 print : woodcut, color; 37.4 x 23.9 cm. Print shows a full-length portrait of a Ofusa

Actors in the roles of Tamashima Itto, Tenjuku Tokubei, and Tsukimoto Inabanosuke. Print shows three actors portraying the roles of Tamashima Itto

Ofusa tokubei

The actor Bando Mitsugoro in the role of Tokubei. Print shows the actor Bando Mitsugoro portraying Tokubei holding a shrine marker(?). Date between 1818 and 1825

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"Tokubei: A Tale of Love, Adventure, and Cultural Exchange in Edo Japan" Step into the vibrant world of Tokubei, a captivating story that unfolds through various artistic mediums. From woodblock prints to theatrical performances, this tale takes us on a journey through time. In 1767, the actors Segawa Kikunojo II as Ohatsu and Ichikawa Yaozo II as her lover Tokubei brought this enchanting narrative to life on stage. Their portrayal captured the hearts of audiences with their undeniable chemistry and emotional depth. Fast forward to 1870, where Utagawa Hiroshige III's artwork transports us to Yokohama's seafront. The bustling cityscape depicts foreign residences alongside the Catholic Church—a testament to the growing cultural exchange happening during that era. The Tsukiji Hotel in Tokyo also becomes a focal point in our story. In another masterpiece by Hiroshige III from the same year, we catch a glimpse of its front garden—an oasis amidst urban chaos. This tranquil setting serves as a backdrop for encounters and secrets waiting to be unveiled. But it is not just visual art that brings Tokubei's tale alive; literature plays its part too. An illustration from ca. 1868-72 showcases an exquisite description of Tsukiji Hotel's Eastern Capital—the heart of Tokyo at that time—where countless stories intertwine like threads in an intricate tapestry. Nature also plays a significant role in this narrative as depicted by Hiroshige III's View of Descent from a Mountain by Many from Pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji (1883). The majestic mountain stands tall while pilgrims descend with awe-inspiring reverence—a symbol of personal growth and enlightenment experienced by our beloved characters. Lastly, we encounter Tamashima Itto Tenjiku Tokubei—a play within our larger story—with actors bringing these characters' essence onto yet another stage.