The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Karigane Bunshichi, Bando Mitsugoro I as An no Heibei, Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon, Nakamura Sukegoro II as Kaminari Shokuro, and Sakata Hangoro II as Hotei Ichiemon (right to left), in "Gonin Otoko" (Five Chivalrous Commoners), an Interlude in Part Two of the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (A Soga Drama on the First Festival Day in the Pleasure District), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Second Month, 1780

Q: When was "The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Karigane Bunshichi, Bando Mitsugoro I as An no Heibei, Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon, Nakamura Sukegoro II as Kaminari Shokuro, and Sakata Hangoro II as Hotei Ichiemon (right to left), in "Gonin Otoko" (Five Chivalrous Commoners), an Interlude in Part Two of the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (A Soga Drama on the First Festival Day in the Pleasure District), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Second Month," created?

This artwork was created c. 1780.

Q: Is "The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Karigane Bunshichi, Bando Mitsugoro I as An no Heibei, Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon, Nakamura Sukegoro II as Kaminari Shokuro, and Sakata Hangoro II as Hotei Ichiemon (right to left), in "Gonin Otoko" (Five Chivalrous Commoners), an Interlude in Part Two of the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (A Soga Drama on the First Festival Day in the Pleasure District), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Second Month," in the public domain?

Yes, The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Karigane Bunshichi, Bando Mitsugoro I as An no Heibei, Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon, Nakamura Sukegoro II as Kaminari Shokuro, and Sakata Hangoro II as Hotei Ichiemon (right to left), in "Gonin Otoko" (Five Chivalrous Commoners), an Interlude in Part Two of the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (A Soga Drama on the First Festival Day in the Pleasure District), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Second Month, is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Katsukawa Shunsho

c. 1780

The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Karigane Bunshichi, Bando Mitsugoro I as An no Heibei, Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon, Nakamura Sukegoro II as Kaminari Shokuro, and Sakata Hangoro II as Hotei Ichiemon (right to left), in "Gonin Otoko" (Five Chivalrous Commoners), an Interlude in Part Two of the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (A Soga Drama on the First Festival Day in the Pleasure District), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Second Month, 1780 by Katsukawa Shunsho

Medium

Color woodblock print; hosoban; pentaptych

Dimensions

31.3 × 14.5 cm (12 5/16 × 5 3/4 in.); 31.3 × 14.1 cm (12 5/16 × 5 9/16 in.); 31.3 × 14.5 cm (12 5/16 × 5 3/4 in.); 31.3 × 14.8 cm (12 5/16 × 5 13/16); 31.3 × 14.1 cm (12 5/16 × 5 9/16 in.) (right to left)

Classification

woodblock print

Department

Arts of Asia

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Accession Number

109394

Rights

Public Domain

View on museum website →

Art Historical Context

This vibrant pentaptych woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunsho captures a thrilling moment from kabuki theater in 1780 Edo (modern Tokyo). Titled *The Actors Ichikawa Monuke II as Karig Bunshichi, B Mitsugoro I as no Heibei, Ichikawa Danjuro V as Gokuin Sen'emon Nakamura Sukegoro II Kaminari Shok, and Sakata Hang II as Hotei Ichiemon (right to left), in "Gonin Otoko" (Five Chivalrous Commoners)*, it depicts five star actors in dynamic poses during an interlude from the play *Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga*, performed at the Nakamura Theater. Shunsho, a leading ukiyo-e master of yakusha-e (actor portraits), immortalizes their exaggerated expressions, flowing robes, and signature mie stances, evoking the energy of live performance. Printed as a narrow hosoban format—five slim sheets (each about 31 x 14 cm) that join into one panoramic scene—this color woodblock exemplifies Edo-period printing techniques. Artisans carved intricate blocks for each color layer, allowing mass production of affordable art that brought kabuki glamour to everyday homes. Shunsho's precise lines and bold shading highlight the actors' individualism amid group harmony. Culturally, the print celebrates the chivalrous commoners of Soga dramas, tales of loyalty and revenge central to kabuki's appeal. It offers a window into 18th-century Japan's thriving theater scene, where stars like Ichikawa Danjuro V were celebrities, blending artistry with popular entertainment.

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