Bust Portraits of Actors in Folding Fans: Ichikawa Danjuro V, Segawa Kikunojo III, Ichikawa Monnosuke II (right, top to bottom); Nakamura Nakazo I, Matsumoto Koshiro IV, Bando Mitsugoro II (left, top to bottom)

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese kab theater with this exquisite color woodblock print byukawa Shunsei, created around 1788. Titled *Bust Portraits of in Folding Fans*, it intimate bust-length portraits of six celebrated kabuki stars: on the right fan, Ichikawa Danj V, Segawa Kikjo III, and Ich Monnosuke II; the left, Nakamura Nak I, Matsumoto Kosh IV, and Bando Mitsugoro II. Shunsei, a master of the Katsukawa school, captures their expressive faces, elaborate hairstyles, and theatrical makeup with remarkable precision, evoking the stars' larger-than-life personas. Printed in the narrow *hosoban* format (32.6 × 14.9 cm), this ukiyo-e work mimics folding fans—a popular accessory—making it both a portable collectible and a clever commentary on everyday luxury. The woodblock technique, involving multiple carved blocks for vibrant colors and fine details, highlights Shunsei's skill in yakusha-e (actor prints), which fueled the "floating world" culture of Edo-period entertainment. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print offers a window into kabuki's golden age, where actors were idols akin to modern celebrities. Fans cherished such images for their home altars or as fashion inspirations, blending art, theater, and popular culture in a single, slender sheet.