Memorial Portrait of the Actor Bando Shuka I
1855
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Classification
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
23848
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Arts of Asia gallery, where we spotlight the vibrant world of 19th-century Japanese ukiyo-e prints. This striking *Memorial Portrait of the Actor Bando Sh I*, created by an artist from the renowned Utagawa School in1855, captures the onnagata—male actors specializing in female roles—in Kabuki theater. Produced as a color woodblock print in the large oban format (roughly 10 x 14 inches), it honors the late performer through a dignified pose, rich costumes, and expressive features, reflecting the "floating world" of Edo-period entertainment. The Utagawa School, a powerhouse of uk...