Marking the First Memorial Anniversary of Mimasu Tabito IV

The Osaka Kabuki actor Mimasu Daigorö V (1807–1873) commissioned this moving testimonial to his two recently deceased sons, who were accompanied in death by the family’s grand patriarch, Mimasu Daigorö IV (1798–1858). Starting at the right, each of the departed family members is listed in chronological order with his Buddhist spirit name or kaimyo, time of death, familial relationship, and number in the memorial anniversary. The Osaka artist Gyokuen created an elaborate design of a Buddhist bronze censure and a tokeis flower. The incense burner symbolizes the funeral and memorial services. The tokeisö (Passiflora caerulea), which literally means "clock grass" because of its resemblance to the face of a round clock, was viewed as a memento mori, or reminder of the passing of time. Perhaps made for eager fans or mourners at the memorial service, the print may have also been commissioned by Daigorö V to bolster his weak position as the new family head. Elevated to the name a year before at a relatively advanced age of fifty-seven and after a lackluster career as an actor, he followed in the footsteps of his greatly popular father, Daigorö IV. He may have wanted to emphasize his personal connection to a list of illustrious family members while displaying himself in the role of the dutiful son.