Actor Arashi Ryûzô II as Hachijô in “Pillar Calendar of the Genji and Heike Clans” (“Gempei hashira-goyomi”)
About 1795
Medium
Color woodblock print; hosoban
Dimensions
32.2 × 14.9 cm (12 11/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
21936
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan this striking color woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei, a master of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating." Created around 1795, the work portrays kabuki actor Arashiûzô II in the role of Hachij from the drama *Gempei hashira-goy* ("Pillar Calendar of the Genji andike Clans"). This hosoban-format print—narrow and vertical at 32.2 × 14.9 cm—captures the actor mid-performance, his dynamic pose and expressive face embodying the theatrical intensity of the Genji-Heike historical epics, which dramatized rival clans' legendary battles. Shun'ei, a pupil of the renowned Katsukawa Shunshō, specialized in yakusha-e (actor portraits), elevating kabuki stars to cultural icons. These prints were affordable souvenirs for theatergoers, blending bold lines, vibrant colors achieved through intricate woodblock carving and multiple color blocks, and meticulous attention to costume details like flowing robes and dramatic makeup (kumadori). The hosoban size suggests it doubled as a pillar calendar, a practical hanging print marking seasonal events alongside entertainment. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece highlights ukiyo-e's role in democratizing art during Japan's prosperous Edo era (1603–1868), immortalizing fleeting moments of beauty and performance for everyday audiences. A testament to Shun'ei's skill, it invites us to appreciate the fusion of theater, history, and printmaking innovation.
About the Artist
Katsukawa Shun'ei · 1762–1819
Katsukawa Shun'ei (1762–1819) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who succeeded his master Katsukawa Shunshō as head of the Katsukawa school around 1800, continuing and advancing the school's innovations in kabuki actor portraiture. Born on December 13, 1762, into a landlord family with the surname Isoda, Shun'ei trained under Shunshō from his youth and became one of the most accomplished designers of y...