The Actor Ichikawa Ebijuro I as Teraoka Heiemon

Object Details

• Artist

  Shunkosai Hokushu 春好斎北洲 (fl. ca. 1802-1832)

• Label

  In this print, which is the left print of a triptych (see also S2004.3.260), Ichikawa Ebijuro I plays the character of a kabuki policemen known as torite. The bold, patterned background, a common feature in Osaka actor prints, is rendered in reserve, and is based on the actor's family crest.

  The poem inscribed on the print praises Ebijuro's sword performances, referring to the phrase, "a thousand ryo actor," or one who deserves an extravagant salary:

  He receives rave reviews

  for taking lead roles

  in sword-fight scenes-

  surely done well enough

  to deserve a thousand ryo.

  Translation of poems by John T. Carpenter

• 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.

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• 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

  Shunkosai, Hokushu

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

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

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints