- Provenance
- Provenance research underway.
- Label
-
The actor Onoe Matsusuke I (1744-1815), a specialist of leading male roles, takes shelter from a sudden rainstorm. His role is likely that of the Buddhist priest Shunkan, who was exiled in 1177 to the island of Kikaigajima for plotting against the Taira family. He left the island on a secret mission to protect the emperor's concubine while she gave birth in a remote location. In kabuki dramatizations, his true identity is revealed when his features are reflected in a mirror. Rainfall is represented in kabuki performances by special effects such as silver strings hanging from a frame or water sprinkled from above.
- Published References
-
- Ann Yonemura, et al. Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection. Seattle and Washington. cat. 18, pp. 88-89.
- 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.
-
CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
To Download
Chrome users: right click on icon, select "save link as..."
Internet Explorer users: right click on icon, select "save target as..."
Mozilla Firefox users: right click on icon, select "save link as..."
International Image Interoperability Framework
FS-7434_46