The Actor Ichikawa Ebizo III as Matsuomaru in the play <em>Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy</em>
18th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1898.423
Tags
About this artwork
The kabuki play Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy (Sugawara denju tenarai kagami) relates the story of Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), a courtier and calligrapher who died in exile due to maneuvers by his enemies at court. Here the actor Ichikawa Ebizo III (formerly Ichikawa Danjuro IV, 1712-1778) plays Matsuomaru, a samurai attendant to Fujiwara no Tokijira (871-909), one of the courtiers who plotted against Michizane. With his features fixed in a menacing stare, the actor strikes a pose...
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of 18th-century Edo-period Japan, Katsukawa Shunko (1743–1812), a master of ukiyo-e—literally "pictures of the floating world"—captured the dramatic flair of kabuki theater in this striking portrait. Titled *The Actor Ichikawa Eb III as Matsuom in the play Sugawara and the of Calligraphy*, it the renowned actor (1712–1778, formerly Ichikawa Danjuro IV) in a tense confrontational pose. With a menacing stare, he embodies Matsuomaru, a loyal samurai attendant to Fujiwara no Tokijira, one of the scheming courtiers who exiled the legendary scholar Sugawara no Michizane (845–903...