二代目市川門之助|Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shinozuka in a Shibaraku (Stop Right There!) Scene

Art Historical Context

This vibrant woodblock print captures the dynamic energy of Edo-period Kabuki theater through the commanding figure of actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II. Created by Katsukawa Shunkō in 1790, it portrays the performer in the iconic “Shibaraku” (Stop Right There!) scene, a dramatic moment where a hero halts injustice with bold stance and sweeping costume. The narrow hosoban format emphasizes the actor’s imposing presence, complete with sword and expressive pose that would have thrilled audiences familiar with the popular play. Shunkō, a leading artist of the Katsukawa school, specialized in yakusha-e—actor portraits that helped turn stage stars into celebrities. His use of bold lines and subtle color gradations highlights the theatrical makeup and elaborate robes, techniques that made these affordable prints highly collectible among townspeople. Produced during the height of ukiyo-e culture, the work reflects Japan’s vibrant urban entertainment scene in the late 18th century. Today, this impression in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection offers a vivid window into how art and performance intertwined, preserving the excitement of Kabuki for modern viewers.

About the Artist

Katsukawa Shunkō · 1743–1812

Katsukawa Shunkō I (1743–1812) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who pioneered the ōkubi-e (large-head) portrait format in kabuki actor prints and served as possibly the first student of Katsukawa Shunshō, the founder of the influential Katsukawa school. Born in 1743, Shunkō spent his entire life in Edo (modern Tokyo), working as both a painter and ukiyo-e printmaker specializing in yakusha-e (actor p...