The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese theater with Katsukawa Shunsho's *The Actor Ichikawa Monnos II as Shira-g, a Temple Page*. around 1772, this color woodblock print captures the kabuki star in his role from the play *Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi*, performed at Edo's famed Nakamura Theater during the first month. Shunsho, a leading figure in the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") movement, specialized in yakusha-e—lifelike portraits of actors that brought the drama of kabuki to everyday viewers. Printed in the narrow hosoban format (32 × 14.4 cm), this intimate half-le...