The Actors Ichikawa Yaozo II and Sakata Hongoro
Woodblock Print
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Katsukawa Shunshô was best known for his depictions of actors and scenes from Kabuki - a popular Japanese theatre form. Actor prints were popular amongst city-dwellers of the Edo period (1615-1868). The patrons of Edo's theatres followed the careers of their favourite actors who were the celebrities of their day.
Here Shunshô depicts two famous actors playing a heroic character and a villain in antagonistic theatrical poses (mie). Although the play is unknown, it seems as if the character on the left means to seize a precious scroll from the other using a hidden sword.
Shunshô had many pupils and was the founder of the influential Katsukawa school of artists. This school continued to flourish into the 19th century.
Here Shunshô depicts two famous actors playing a heroic character and a villain in antagonistic theatrical poses (mie). Although the play is unknown, it seems as if the character on the left means to seize a precious scroll from the other using a hidden sword.
Shunshô had many pupils and was the founder of the influential Katsukawa school of artists. This school continued to flourish into the 19th century.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | The Actors Ichikawa Yaozo II and Sakata Hongoro |
| Materials and techniques | Colour print from woodblocks |
| Physical description | Pair of prints, colours printed on paper |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Object history | Acquisition method and source not identified in the Asia Department registers, accessioned in 1896. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | Katsukawa Shunshô was best known for his depictions of actors and scenes from Kabuki - a popular Japanese theatre form. Actor prints were popular amongst city-dwellers of the Edo period (1615-1868). The patrons of Edo's theatres followed the careers of their favourite actors who were the celebrities of their day. Here Shunshô depicts two famous actors playing a heroic character and a villain in antagonistic theatrical poses (mie). Although the play is unknown, it seems as if the character on the left means to seize a precious scroll from the other using a hidden sword. Shunshô had many pupils and was the founder of the influential Katsukawa school of artists. This school continued to flourish into the 19th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.1280:1&2-1896 |
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| Record created | November 6, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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