Posted by Alec W. (2.25.206.211) on June 15, 2022 at 13:44:48:
In Reply to: The legend behind the print posted by Bennett on June 14, 2022 at 23:58:40:
Pictured are three of nine roles played by Nakamura Shikan II in a "transformation" dance performance ("hengemono" 変化物) entitled "Kyō Kokonoe Yayoi no Hanamichi" 興九重弥生花道, performed at the Nakamura-za in 1833.3.
The pictured roles are:
Shōki 朱鍾馗
zatō 座頭 ("blind man")
keisei 契情 ("courtesan")
These seem to have been stock characters in hengemono, but I don't know if they have more of a connection to each other than that.
Some other prints from this performance:
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/461421
https://www.scholten-japanese-art.com/kabuki_show_17.php
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/214729
https://collections.mfa.org/objects/214734
-A