The Actor Hayakawa Shinkatsu as Toyohime in the play "Goshozome Koyo Gunki," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1727 (?)
c. 1727
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e
Dimensions
30.5 × 15.4 cm (12 1/16 × 6 1/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
19469
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Actor Hayakawa Shink as Toyohime in play "Goshozome Koyo Gunki,"* a vibrant hand-colored woodblock print by the innovative ukiyo-e master Okumura Masan, created around 1727 for a performance at Tokyo's Ichimura Theater. This hosoban-format print—narrow and vertical at just 30.5 × 15.4 cm—captures the kabuki star Hayakawa Shinkatsu in the role of the elegant Toyohime, showcasing the theatrical glamour of Edo-period Japan. Masanobu, a pioneer in actor portraits (yakusha-e), elevated woodblock printing with his signature urushi-e technique, applying glue (nijiri) to the blocks for a ...
About the Artist
Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764
Japanese, 1686–1764