Ichimura Manzo as Yatsushi Goro and Segawa Kikujiro as Yatsushi Shosho

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with this exquisite woodblock print by Torii Kiyomasu I, created around 1745. Titled *Ichimura Manzo as Yatsushi Goro and Segawa Kikujiro as Yatsushi Shosho*, it captures two celebrated kabuki actors in dynamic poses: Ichimura Manzo embodying the rugged Yatsushi Goro and Segawa Kikujiro portraying the graceful Yatsushi Shosho. Rendered in ink and color on paper (measuring 12 11/32 x 5 7/8 in.), the print buzzes with theatrical energy, featuring bold patterns, flowing robes, and motifs like birds that evoke the drama of the stage. As a master of the Torii school, Kiyomasu I helped pioneer *yakusha-e*—actor prints that were the rock-star posters of 18th-century Japan. During the Edo period (1615–1868), kabuki theater thrived in urban centers like Edo (modern Tokyo), blending music, dance, and elaborate costumes. These affordable prints allowed fans from all walks of life to own a piece of the spectacle, immortalizing stars like these onna-gata (female role specialists) and their male counterparts. The woodblock technique shines here: intricate carving on multiple blocks layered vibrant hues and fine details, from expressive faces to textured fabrics. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this gift from the Estate of Samuel Isham exemplifies ukiyo-e's cultural snapshot of fleeting pleasures, bridging art and everyday entertainment.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyomasu I · 1696–1716

Torii Kiyomasu I was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist working in the early eighteenth century, closely associated with the Torii school, one of the most important lineages in the history of Japanese woodblock printmaking. The Torii school was founded by Torii Kiyonobu, and Kiyomasu I is believed to have been either his son or a close pupil — the precise family relationship remains a matter of scholarly d...