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
23884
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant tradition of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, this *Memorial Portrait of the Actor Bando Shuka I* from 1855 stands as a poignant tribute. Produced by an artist of the esteemed Utagawa School—known for masters like Hiroshige andiyoshi—this oban-sized color print (roughly 10 x 15 inches) captures likeness of the celebrated kabuki performer Bando Shuka I his passing. Such yakusha-e (actor prints) were immensely popular in Edo-period Japan, turning theater stars into cultural icons accessible to everyday viewers. The artwork's memorial nature underscores the deep reverence for kabuki arti...