Ten Kabuki actors in role
Woodblock Print
1861 (made)
1861 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Edo period (1615–1868) saw the rise of a fashion industry similar to the one we know today. It developed most clearly among the large urban centres of Edo (Tokyo), Kyoto and Osaka. Knowledge about changing fashion trends was shared through woodblock-printed images known generically as ukiyo-e or ‘images of the floating world’. These were published in the form of prints and illustrated books.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Ten Kabuki actors in role (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Woodblock print on paper |
| Brief description | Woodblock print polyptych in album 'Ten Kabuki actors in role' by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), Japan, Edo (Tokyo), 1861 |
| Physical description | Woodblock print polyptych. Ten sheets. Nishiki-e (full-colour print). Figures on dark ground. |
| Gallery label | Kabuki was a form of popular theatre where men played both male and female roles. Trendsetters of new fashions, Kabuki actors were renowned for sporting flamboyant clothing on and off the stage. Actor prints were generally sold individually, allowing fans to purchase portraits of their favourite celebrity. These two sheets are from a series featuring the ten most famous actors of the time. (10/3/2020) |
| Credit line | Given by Misses Alexander |
| Summary | The Edo period (1615–1868) saw the rise of a fashion industry similar to the one we know today. It developed most clearly among the large urban centres of Edo (Tokyo), Kyoto and Osaka. Knowledge about changing fashion trends was shared through woodblock-printed images known generically as ukiyo-e or ‘images of the floating world’. These were published in the form of prints and illustrated books. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.6027-1916 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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