The Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Jinriki Tamigoro
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
36.5 × 24 cm (14 3/8 × 9 1/4 in.)
Classification
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
29597
Art Historical Context
This striking color woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika captures the celebrated kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan IV in the role of Jinriki Tamigoro. Created in 1867, during the final years of the Edo period, the work exemplifies the enduring popularity of yakusha-e, or actor portraits, which brought the excitement of the theater into everyday life. Kunichika, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, specialized in dramatic depictions of performers, using bold lines and vibrant colors to convey the intensity of stage characters. The oban format, measuring roughly 36.5 by 24 centimeters, was ideal for ...
About the Artist
Toyohara Kunichika · 1835–1900
Japanese, 1835–1900