The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II (Shinsha) and Yamashita Kinsaku II (Riko)

Object Details

• Artist

  Katsukawa Shunko 勝川春好 (1743-1812)

• Label

  Instead of a single full figure, which was the most common composition for actor prints from the 1770s, the space in this print is divided into two close-up portraits. The actors are identifed by their haimyo (names used to sign their poetry), which were familiar to their fans. In the lower frame, posing in a demure and charming manner, is Riko (the actor Yamashita Kinsaku II, 1733- 1799), who was a famous onnagata. Above, with his shoulders and costume filling the frame is Shinsha (the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II, 1743-1794). The actors often appeared together in performances at the Nakamura Theater during the 1770s, when this print was designed by Shunko, an artist of the Katsukawa school, which specialized in actor portraits. His name and the publisher's trademark are printed horizontally in the upper and lower margins.

• 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

  Katsukawa, Shunko

• 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