The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II (formerly Utagawa Shirogoro) as Matsuomaru and Azumo Tozo I as Sakuramaru in the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami," performed at the Morita Theater, 1750

Art Historical Context

This vibrant woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyonobu captures dynamic moment from the 1750 kabuki production of *Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kag* at Tokyo's Morita Theater. portrays two stars of the stage: Sawamura Sōjūrō II (formerly Utagawa Shirōgorō) as the loyal Matsuomaru and Azuma Tōzō I as Sakuramaru. Toyonobu, a prominent ukiyo-e artist the mid-18th century and pupil of Nishimura Shigenaga, specialized in yakusha-e—actor portraits that celebrated the theatrical world's glamour and drama during Japan's Edo period. Printed in the benizuri-e technique, this oban-format work (44.8 × 31.9 cm) represents an early innovation in color woodblock printing. Using just a few blocks for pinkish-red beni pigment, blue, and green, it achieves striking contrasts and depth, bridging hand-colored prints and the full-spectrum nishiki-e that would revolutionize ukiyo-e in the 1760s. These affordable prints democratized kabuki fandom, allowing fans to own "souvenirs" of performances and idolized actors. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece highlights kabuki's cultural zenith, where stories of loyalty and tragedy like *Sugawara* enthralled audiences. Toyonobu's expressive poses and bold lines immerse us in the "floating world" of Edo entertainment, blending artistry with everyday spectacle.

About the Artist

Ishikawa Toyonobu · 1711–1785

Japanese, 1711–1785