No. 98697570

Yoroboshi (弱法師) - Sōfū Matsuno (松野 奏風) - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)
No. 98697570

Yoroboshi (弱法師) - Sōfū Matsuno (松野 奏風) - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)
Item Description (English):
This is a traditional Japanese woodblock print titled "Yoroboshi (Dance of the Blind Monk)" from the renowned "Junikagetsu Nōga-zuri" (Twelve Months of Noh Elegance) series, representing the month of February.
The print was issued in Showa 45 (1970) by Unsodo, a publisher known for high-quality art prints.
This piece showcases the refined artistry of Sōfū Matsuno, a master of Noh-themed painting, brought to life through expert carving by Michio Nagashima and printing by Saburō Shinmi.
The scene portrays a Noh performer enacting Yoroboshi, a blind monk, captured mid-movement with striking accuracy in costume, gesture, and presence.
Rich in traditional elements and printed using classic ukiyo-e techniques, this work embodies the spirit of Japanese theatrical art with vivid colors and deep cultural resonance.
Size:
Print Size: Approx. 40 x 27 cm
Mounting Sheet Size: Approx. 48 x 33 cm
Please note:
The woodblock print is affixed to the mounting sheet and cannot be removed.
Artist Profile:
Sōfū Matsuno (1899–1963)
Sōfū Matsuno was a renowned Japanese painter of Noh theater scenes.
Born in Tokyo in 1899 (Meiji 32), he studied under distinguished artists Kokkan Otake and Tsukioka Kōgyo.
From a young age, Matsuno was immersed in Noh, studying the chant (utai) of the Kanze school.
Initially aspiring to be a historical painter, he began sketching Noh performances in his twenties under Kōgyo’s guidance and later devoted his career to Noh painting after military service.
He was known for capturing the tension and detail of Noh and Kyōgen performances — from actors’ postures to costume patterns and stage props.
Beyond illustration, he painted over 30 kagami-ita (stage backdrop pines) for major Noh stages across Japan, including Chūson-ji Hakusan Shrine Noh Stage, Yamamoto Noh Theater in Osaka, and Kawamura Noh Theater in Kyoto. He passed away in 1963 (Shōwa 38) at the age of 64.
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