The Actor Arashi Kitsusaburo II as Minamoto no Yorimasa

Object Details

• Artist

  Gigado Ashiyuki 戯画堂芦幸 (active ca. 1814–33)

• Label

  During the Edo period (1615-1868) in Japan, fans and admirers collected portraits of their favorite actors in great roles. This portrait depicts kabuki actor Arashi Kitsusaburo ii in the role of the twelfth-century Japanese warrior, Minamoto no Yorimasa, who was famous for dramatically vanquishing a nue, a giant supernatural bird.

  The unusual inclusion of a frame around the portrait suggests another layer of meaning beyond the memory of an admired actor's performance. The frame is similar to those that surround the painted wooden votive panels people offered to the native Shinto gods (kami) for blessings and protection.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Facing East: Portraits from Asia (July 1 to September 4, 2006)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  The Anne van Biema Collection

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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• 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

  Gigado, Ashiyuki

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

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

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints