Actor Segawa Kikunojô III Possibly as Ono no Komachi in “Komachi Village: New Year at the Theater” (“Komachimura shibai no shôgatsu”)
About 1789
Medium
Color woodblock print; hosoban diptych
Dimensions
33.5 × 15 cm (13 3/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
3598
Art Historical Context
This captivating woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei created around 1789, showcases the renowned kabuki actor Segawaunojô III, likely portraying the legendary poetess Ono no Komachi in the playful scene “Komachi Village: New at the Theater” (“achimura shibai no shôgatsu”). Shun'ei a master of the uyo-e tradition—“pictures of the floating world”—ized in yakusha-e or actor portraits, that brought the drama of Edo-period theater to life for everyday viewers. Printed as a hosoban diptych—two narrow panels forming a tall, slender image (33.5 × 15 cm)—this work exemplifies the innovative color woo...
About the Artist
Katsukawa Shun'ei · 1762–1819
Katsukawa Shun'ei (1762–1819) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who succeeded his master Katsukawa Shunshō as head of the Katsukawa school around 1800, continuing and advancing the school's innovations in kabuki actor portraiture. Born on December 13, 1762, into a landlord family with the surname Isoda, Shun'ei trained under Shunshō from his youth and became one of the most accomplished designers of y...