Actor Matsumoto Koshiro V as the Fisherman Tomonari

Object Details

• Artist

  Utagawa Toyokuni I 歌川豊国 (1769-1825)

• Label

  Matsumoto Koshiro V, who is portrayed in this print, was a major star of the Edo kabuki theater in the early nineteenth century. His distinctive appearance was recorded in prints that draw attention to his prominent nose, which led to the nickname "Hanadaka" (High Nose) Koshiro. Artists often portrayed this actor with his face in strict profile, an uncommon pose in actor prints. His acting skills were so admired that younger actors incorporated the natural mole on his cheek into their stage makeup when performing his famous roles. Here, as a young actor, he plays the role of the fisherman Tomonari. In Toyokuni's simple dramatic design, the actor's back is turned to the viewer as he prepares to strike with his unsheathed sword.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection (September 15, 2002 to January 9, 2003)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  The Anne van Biema Collection

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Utagawa, Toyokuni

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Theater, Art, Actors and actresses, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Anne van Biema collection, Ukiyo-e

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints