Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichimura Takenojo V

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 19th-century Japanese ukiyo-e prints, *Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ich Takenojo V* stands as a poignant tribute from the Utagawa School, a powerhouse of woodblock artists renowned capturing the "floating world" theater, beauty, and life. Created in 1 during Japan's Edo period this oban-sized colorblock print (approximately 10 x 15 inches) honors Ichimura Taken V, a celebrated kab actor whose dramatic performances enthled audiences in Edo (modern Tokyo). The Utagawa School, including masters like Kuniyoshi and Hiroshige, excelled in yakusha-e—actor prints—that immorta...