Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Ebizo V (Ichikawa Danjuro VII)

Art Historical Context

This memorial portrait by Utagawa Kunisada I, also known as Toyokuni III, captures the likeness of the celebrated kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizō V, posthumously honored under his stage name Ichikawa Danjūrō VII. Created in 1859 as a color woodblock print in the standard oban format, the work belongs to the rich tradition of yakusha-e, or actor prints, that flourished in Japan’s Edo period. Kunisada, one of the most prolific ukiyo-e masters of his time, specialized in vivid portrayals of the kabuki stage, and this piece serves as a poignant tribute following the actor’s passing. Woodblock printing allowed such images to be produced affordably and shared widely among theater enthusiasts, preserving the charisma and legacy of beloved performers for generations. Measuring just over 14 by 10 inches, the print exemplifies the intimate scale of oban sheets, which were often collected in albums or displayed in homes. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia holdings, it offers modern viewers a window into 19th-century Japanese popular culture, where art, theater, and commemoration intertwined. Memorial portraits like this one highlight the deep respect audiences held for kabuki stars and the role of printmakers in shaping public memory. Kunisada’s refined line work and expressive composition continue to convey both the dignity of the subject and the emotional resonance of farewell.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) · 1786–1864

Utagawa Kunisada I, also known as Toyokuni III (1786–1865), was born Sumida Shōgorō in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo) into a family that operated a hereditary ferry-boat service, providing stability after his father's early death. Displaying prodigious talent in drawing from childhood, he became an apprentice to the master Utagawa Toyokuni I around 1801 at age fifteen, entering the prest...