The Actors Yamashita Kinsaku I and Hayakawa Hatsuse as puppeteers in the play "Diary Kept on a Journey by Sea to Izu" ("Funadama Izu Nikki"), performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month, 1725
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e
Dimensions
34.1 × 15.5 cm (13 7/16 × 6 3/16)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
44146
Art Historical Context
Step into the lively world of Edo-period theater with *The Actors Yamashita Kinsaku I and Hay Hatsuse as Puppeteers in the "Diary Kept on Journey by Sea to I" ("Funadama Izu")*, a 1725 hand-colored wood print by Torii Kiyu II. This intimate hosoban-format work (34.1 × 15.5 cm) captures two kabuki stars in dynamic poses, manipulating puppets during a performance at the Nakamura Theater in early 1725. Kiyomasu II, from the renowned Torii school of ukiyo-e artists, specialized in yakusha-e—vibrant portraits of actors that brought the "floating world" of entertainment to life for everyday viewers....
About the Artist
Torii Kiyomasu II · 1706–1763
At one point this artist was incorrectly identified as Kiyonobu II.