Utaemon III on Ukiyo-e 浮世絵

Utaemon Nakamura III was a leading actor in the Kamigata Kabuki world during the Bunka and Bunsei periods of the Edo period (first half of the 19th century). He was a super star representing Kamigata who was extremely popular as a '“Kaneru'' actor who played villains, leading roles, and female roles. Utaemon III had a great reputation not only in Kamigata, but also in Edo, where he traveled and performed three times. When he appeared on the stage at the Edo Nakamura-Za Theatre, it is said that the performances of Mitsugoro Bando III and Koshiro Matsumoto V at the next-door Ichimura-Za Theatre were closed early due to a lack of audience. People in Edo loved him so much, and didn’t want him to leave. His features of googly eyes and eagle nose were well drawn on this ukiyo-e picture. Many times Utaemon III has played a thief Goemon Ishikawa (a legendary Japanese outlaw hero who stole gold and other valuables to give to the poor, and was sentenced to be boiled in a cauldron at Sanjogawara in Kyoto.), who wrote a haiku named Ishikawa ya (even a theif could write a haiku?? I can’t) , "Even if you get rid of all the sand on the beach, there would still be theives." (my translation)

As for the explanation of the costume on the picture, it is a black kimono with Gion no Kami, which is the crest of Narikomaya, and the color is back and dark blue. There is a small white pattern instead of solid black. The nagajuban undergarment is red with a black three layered half-collar. The obi is tied at front with asanoha (hemp leaf) patterns for prosperity and growth.