Posted by Andrew (76.237.196.99) on May 15, 2011 at 00:24:39:
In Reply to: By Kunisada or not? posted by Mikael on May 13, 2011 at 21:42:26:
It's a kabuki print, the actor is Bando Mitsugoro.
According to a kabuki theatre reference, Mitsugoro IV assumed his stage name in 1832. On the basis of the style of the design, and the style of the signature, I think this actor has to be Mitsugoro IV, i.e. after 1832, not before. So that would date it to 1832 - 1842.
This subject is an example of the 'lion dance' in kabuki theatre, which is a kind of Noh theatre dance based on a story that was adapted for kabuki. I have seen a number of yakusha-e, from the late 18th century up until the Meiji period, which show this kind of Noh dancer.
So the subject is fairly common, but I don't know which kabuki play this represents. The exact role in the play, the character he portrayed, is written in the upper left margin, can't really read it.