The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Sakata no Kintoki

Object Details

• Artist

  Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川春章 (1726-1792)

• Label

  The simplicity and abstraction of this portrait, which is dominated by a black costume emblazoned with a calligraphic character reserved in white, focuses on the face of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro V. He projects enormous power and imminent force as he casts a menacing glare over his shoulder. Danjuro performs as Sakata no Kintoki (the character kin on his costume identifies his role) in a play in which the four followers of the warrior Minamoto no Raiko (948-1021) confront the monster Earth Spider (Tsuchigumo), who has assumed the forms of beautiful women. In this scene, the Earth Spider reveals her true identity as she dances before Raiko and his men. This print is a masterpiece of actor portraiture that reveals the artist Shunsho's understanding of the visual power of posture, color, and composition.

• 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

  Katsukawa, Shunsho

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

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

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints