The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Kobayashi no Asahina Disguised as a Bird-Catcher in the Play Edo no Haru Meisho Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1773

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 18th-century Edo (modern Tokyo), Katsukawa Shunsho captures the theatrical flair of kabuki star Onoe Matsusuke in this color woodblock print from around 1773. Titled *The Actor Onoe Matsuke I as Kobayashi noahina Disguised a Bird-Catcher in Play Edo no Haruisho Soga*, it depicts the actor in his role from a performance at the Ichimura Theater the third lunar month. Shunsho, leading figure in the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition and founder of the Katsukawa school, specialized in yakusha-e—dynamic portraits of kabuki performers that celebrated their onnagata (female impersonator) prowess and stage personas. This hosoban-format print, measuring a slender 29.6 × 12.6 cm, exemplifies the innovative techniques of woodblock printing: intricate carving for bold lines, vibrant colors layered via multiple blocks, and subtle gradations (bokashi) for depth. Narrow hosoban sheets were affordable and collectible, allowing fans to amass albums of their idols, fueling kabuki's celebrity culture amid Japan's Edo-period urban boom. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this work highlights Shunsho's mastery in conveying motion and emotion—note Matsusuke's expressive pose and feathered disguise—offering a window into the playful, ritualistic world of Japanese theater and printmaking artistry.