Scene from the kabuki play, Nikki Danjo

Maker(s)
Artist: Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎 (1831-1889)
Historical period(s)
Meiji era, 1868-1831
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 26.7 x 38.8 cm (10 1/2 x 15 1/4 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1975.29.12
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Album, Drawing
Type

Album leaf

Keywords
actor, fan, Japan, kabuki, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), theater, yakusha-e
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Lively sketches by the nineteenth-century artist Kawanabe Kyosai reveal the variety of traditional Chinese and Japanese legends that were popular in the Meiji era, when Japan was rapidly modernizing along Western technological models.


In an unusual view of a kabuki stage facing the enthralled audience, an actor performs an onstage transformation from human to animal form with the aid of smoke. According to the story, in a plot to thwart the rightful heir, Nikki Danjo steals a scroll that contains the will of the daimyo who ruled Sendai. The villain attempts to escape by transforming himself into a giant rat, but he is finally captured by a warrior who throws an iron battle fan, breaking the spell.

See also F1975.29.5 and F1975.29.8.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. 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 Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use

Related Objects