Shibai Ehon Banzuke

芝居絵本番付

Illustrated Playbills for Kabuki

Kabuki, a classical form of Japanese performing arts, was developed in the cities of Edo (Tokyo) and Kamigata (Osaka and Kyoto), and performed in several other cities in early modern Japan. It became one of the most popular theatrical entertainments from the seventeenth through the late nineteenth centuries. Posters and programs for kabuki performances called "banzuke'' were printed in woodblock, such as "tsuji-banzuke" (posters), "yakuwari banzuke" (cast lists), and "ehon banzuke" (illustrated playbills). The third type "ehon banzuke," was also called "ezukushi" [or "shibai ehon"] in Kamigata.[1] 

The covers for many of the "shibai ehon" of the Kamigata region were dyed with stencils called "kappazuri," a dyeing technique.[2] These booklets were sold at theaters and theater teahouses (facilities that assist guests and provide meals during intermissions) after the performances began.[3]

These types of booklets were not intended to be preserved for posterity, and like modern playbills they were more like consumables used as guides for theatre performances. Their contents are standardized, and the carving and printing were of poor quality. While they may not hold much value as art pieces, they offer a glimpse into the atmosphere of theatre viewing at the time.[4]

[1] "Kamigata Kabuki Banzuke 上方歌舞伎番付: Woodblock Print Playbills from Western Japan," Calisphere, University of California https://calisphere.org/collections/26888/ [accessed 7-13-24]

[2] Ukiyo-e: Theatre and Kabuki (Shibai-e Banzuke) https://hamasakaba.sakura.ne.jp/u06sibai/066s/sub066s.html#%E3%83%88%E3%83%83%E3%83%97%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8 [accessed 7-13-24]

[3] University of Tokyo Digital Archive https://www.l.u-tokyo.ac.jp/digitalarchive/collection/banzukekaisetsu.html

[4] op. cit. Ukiyo-e: Theater and Kabuki

Shibai Ehon Banzuke in this Collection

Chigogafuchi koi no shiranami / Yoshitsune Koshigoejō

児渕恋白浪／義経腰越状

Performed at the Naka no shibai (中之芝居) in Osaka in August 1850

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清(本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 7/8 x 5 3/8 in. (20 x 13.7 cm)

Reference link: https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/detail.html?arg={%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22,%22id%22:%22412413;20%22}&lang=jp

Kanadehon shijūshichi monji / Nido no okura neya no mutsu goto

假名手本四十七文字 /  再大藏閨の睦言

Performed at the Chikugo shibai (筑後芝居) in Osaka on March 17, 1869

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清(本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 8 x 5 7/8 in. (20.3 x 14.9 cm)

Reference link: https://cultural.jp/item/arc_ban-ONL974_104_02

Keisei Sato no Funauta / Kishi no Himematsu Kutsuwa Kagami / Taiheiki Chūshin Kōshaku

契情廓船諷／岸姫松轡鑑／太平記忠臣講釈

Performed at the Naka no shibai (中之芝居) in Osaka in November 1870

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清(本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 11/16 x 5 1/4 in. (19.5 x 13.3 cm)

Reference link: https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/detail.html?arg={%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22,%22id%22:%22412867;97%22}&lang=jp

Nami Nori Soga Hana no Kagekiyo

浪乗曽我花景清

Performed at the Naka no shibai (中之芝居) in Osaka in January 1856

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清 (本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 7/8 x 5 3/8 in. (20 x 13.7 cm)

Reference links: https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/detail.html?arg={%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22,%22id%22:%22412258%22}&lang=jp

https://hamasakaba.sakura.ne.jp/u06sibai/066s/941207/sub941207.html#%EF%BC%BA%EF%BC%A5%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%99

Tenmangu aiju no meiboku / Azuma murasaki koi no iroage

天満宮花梅桜松／吾妻紫恋の色揚

Performed at the Kado no shibai (角之芝居) in Osaka in January 1871

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清(本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 3/4 x 5 3/8 in. (19.7 x 13.7 cm)

Reference links:  https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/detail.html?arg={%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22,%22id%22:%22412564;7%22,%22advanced_search%22:false}&lang=jp

Gohiiki Megumi no Kagekiyo/ Hanazumō chōchō no monbi

御摂恵景清／花相撲蝶々紋日

Performed at the Naka no shibai (中之芝居) in Osaka in March 1851

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清 (本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 13/16 x 5 1/2 in. (19.8 x 14 cm)

Reference links: https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/detail.html?arg={%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22,%22id%22:%22413776;16%22}&lang=jp

Keisei Iriai Zakura / Miyama Meguri Shiraga no Kintoki

けいせい入相櫻／深山廻白髪公時

Performed at the Chikugo no shibai (筑後芝居) in Osaka in January 1852

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清(本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 9/16 x 5 7/16 in. (19.2 x 13.8 cm)

Reference links: 

https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/detail.html?arg={%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22,%22id%22:%22412689;18%22}&lang=jp

Kyogen ezukushi shu

狂言絵尽集

Performed at the Chikugo no shibai (筑後芝居) in Osaka in January 1854

Publisher: Osaka: Honsei (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi); Tamaki (Hon'ya Tamaki Seishichi) 

大坂:本清(本屋玉置清七); 玉置 (本屋玉置清七)

Page size (closed): 7 9/16 x 5 7/16 in. (19.2 x 13.8 cm)

Reference links: https://dcollections.lib.keio.ac.jp/en/special/209-309-22-9

Online Collections of Shibai Banzuke

Calisphere University of California: Kamigata Kabuki Banzuke

https://calisphere.org/collections/26888/

Waseda University Cultural Resource Database - The database of shibai banzuke (theatre programmes)

https://archive.waseda.jp/archive/subDB-top.html?arg={%22item_per_page%22:20,%22sortby%22:[%22%22,%22ASC%22],%22view%22:%22display-simple%22,%22subDB_id%22:%2279%22}&lang=en

Digital Collections of Keio University Libraries

https://dcollections.lib.keio.ac.jp/en/collections/search?key=%E8%8A%9D%E5%B1%85%E7%B5%B5%E6%9C%AC%E7%95%AA%E4%BB%98&page=1 [accessed 7-13-24]

last revision:

4/07/2025 added alt text