Ichikawa Danjūrō V in the Role of Shiromasu-baba

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with Katsukawa Shunshō'sIchikawa Danjūrō in the Role of Shiasu-baba* (1786), a stunning nishiki-e woodblock print Shunshō, a leading figure in the ukiyo-e tradition, masterfully captures the famed kabuki actor Danjūrō V—known for his dynamic aragoto style—as the elderly character Shiromasu-baba. This intimate hosoban-format print (31.1 x 14 cm) showcases Danjūrō's expressive face and elaborate costume, frozen in a moment of theatrical intensity from a performance in the 12th month of 1786. Nishiki-e, or "brocade pictures," revolutionized Japanese printmaking with their lush, multi-layered colors achieved through intricate woodblock techniques. Shunshō's Katsukawa school specialized in yakusha-e (actor prints), which idolized kabuki stars like Danjūrō V, making theater accessible to everyday viewers. During the Edo period (1615–1868), these affordable prints democratized high culture, blending artistry with urban entertainment in Tokyo's bustling theater district. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (purchased via the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1918), this piece highlights kabuki's enduring allure—where male actors like Danjūrō portrayed female roles with mesmerizing skill. A testament to Shunshō's legacy, it invites us to appreciate the "floating world" of 18th-century Japan.

About the Artist

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章 (Japanese) · 1726 –1792

Japanese, 1726–1792