The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro II as the Sumo Wrestler Matano no Goro in the Play Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Edo theater with Katsukawa Shunsho's *The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro as the Sumo Wrest Matano no Goro Created around 1770, this color woodblock print captures the star kabuki actor in his role from the play *Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata performed at Tokyo's Ichimura Theater in eleventh lunar month. Shunsho, leading figure in the Katsukawa school ukiyo-e—"pictures of the floating world"—excelled in yakusha-e, or actor portraits, that brought the drama of kabuki stages to everyday fans. Printed in the narrow hosoban format (30.8 × 13.6 cm), this is the right sheet of a triptych, designed to be joined with two others for a panoramic view. Woodblock printing allowed affordable mass production, layering vibrant colors and intricate details through carved blocks and pigments. Shunsho's expressive style highlights Nakamura's powerful physique and intense gaze, evoking the raw energy of sumo wrestling fused with kabuki's theatrical flair. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print reflects Edo Japan's booming popular culture, where kabuki stars like Nakamura were celebrities. It offers a window into how art democratized theater, preserving fleeting performances for eternity.