The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro III as a wandering priest, komuso, holding a wicker hat, a black bag for collecting alms over his shoulder.
Danjuro III, known as Masugoro, Approved by Sansho VII, Sandaime Masugoro Danjuro - kiwame shichidaime Sansho, with seal: Yau, from un untitled series on The Danjuro Family Tradition of Kabuki Actors.
Ichikawa Danjuro III (1721-42), the adopted son of Ichikawa Danjuro II and the true son of Mimasuya Sukejuro, first acted under the name Ichikawa Masugoro. He acted under the name Danjuro from XI/1735 until his death in II/1742, aged only 22.
The reprint edition with various modifications is in the collection of the National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden (1353-1448).
One poem by Kyokutei Chinjin [the famous novelist Takizawa Kyokutei Bakin (1767-1848), author of numerous bestsellers in the early 19th century]. The poem is preceded by the note ‘Praising the portrait of Ichikawa III Mimasu’, Sansei Ichikawa Mimasu no zo, and refers to the actor’s premature death at the age of 22:
Though destined to follow his parents in fame, the young bamboo shoot is counted as number three by those who only know his name.
Issued by the Danjuro Fan Club
Signature reading: the late ko Toyokuni hitsu
