The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in His Dressing Room
c. 1783
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
38.5 × 26.2 cm (15 1/4 × 10 5/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
31802
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese theater with Katsukawa Shunsho's *The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in Dressing Room* (c. 1783). This color woodblock print captures the legendary kabuki star Ichikawa Danjuro, a master of aragoto (rough stuff) roles known for his bold, heroic portrayals. Shunsho, a leading figure in the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") school, specialized in yakusha-e—intimate portraits of actors—bringing the glamour of Edo's theater district to life for everyday viewers. Printed in the large oban format (38.5 × 26.2 cm), this work showcases the metic...