Arkivism
Shirai Gonpachi committing suicide
Public domain

Shirai Gonpachi committing suicide

Utagawa Kunisada (I) · 1852-09 · color woodcut; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugorô III depicted as Hirai Donpachi at the moment he stabs a sword into his own stomach. Gonpachi had a relationship with the Yoshiwara courtesan Komurasaki but had to flee. Because he did not want to be captured by the police, he committed suicide. The red title cartouche is decorated with attributes referring to the police, such as a police cap, a rope, and a lantern. Mount Fuji in the background.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
printseeking death, suicide
Credit lineShirai Gonpachi committing suicide. 1852-09. Utagawa Kunisada (I). Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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