Actor Bando Mitsugoro III as Ko no Moronao

Object Details

• Artist

  Utagawa Toyokuni I 歌川豊国 (1769-1825)

• Label

  Ko no Moronao is the villain who represents the historical character Kira Yoshinaka (1641-1703) in the kabuki plays based on the story of the forty-seven ronin (masterless samurai) who avenged their master's death by killing Kira in a surprise night attack. The great actor Bando Mitsugoro III as Moronao wears robes with long, trailing trousers that were worn by warriors for formal occasions, such as ceremonies in the shogun's castle. The voluminous form of the costume leads the viewer toward the face of the actor, which is frozen in an expression that projects his anger and arrogance. His bulging eyes, highlighted by red makeup, are characteristic of mie, frozen poses featuring exaggerated expressions that are struck at critical dramatic moments.

• 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

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  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

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

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints