The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I
c. 1744
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; wide hashira-e, urushi-e
Dimensions
69.1 × 15 cm (27 1/2 × 5 7/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
88879
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I*, a captivating hand-colored woodblock print by the innovative Edo-period artist Okumura Masanobu, created around 1744. This wide *hashira-e*—a tall, narrow format designed to hang on architectural pillars—depicts the famed kabuki actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I in a dynamic pose, embodying the theatrical flair of Japan's "floating world" (*ukiyo-e*). Masanobu, active from the early 18th century, was a pioneer in ukiyo-e, blending traditional Japanese woodblock techniques with experimental flair inspired by Western prints. The artwork's *urushi-e* technique i...
About the Artist
Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764
Japanese, 1686–1764