The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?)

Q: When was "The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?)" created?

This artwork was created c. 1769.

Q: Is "The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?)" in the public domain?

Yes, The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?) is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Ippitsusai Buncho

c. 1769

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?) by Ippitsusai Buncho

Medium

Color woodblock print; hosoban

Dimensions

32 × 14.5 cm (12 1/2 × 5 3/16 in.)

Classification

woodblock print

Department

Arts of Asia

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Accession Number

32633

Art Historical Context

This vibrant color woodblock print by Ippitsusai Buncho captures the dynamic presence of actor Sawamura Souro II in the role of Kudo Suketsune, from the 1769 kabuki play *Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga* at Edo’s Ichimura Theater. Created around the height of the ukiyo-e movement, Buncho specialized in yakusha-e, or actor portraits, which celebrated the stars of Japan’s popular theater. His works often emphasized expressive poses and striking costumes, bringing the excitement of live performance to a wider audience through affordable prints. The hosoban format—a tall, narrow sheet measuring just 32...

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?)

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