Memorial Portrait of the Actor Nakamura Tamasuke

Art Historical Context

This striking color woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada I (also known as Toyokuni III) captures a memorial portrait of the kabuki actor Nakamura Tamasuke. Created in 1838 during Japan’s Edo period, the work belongs to the tradition of *shini-e*, or “death pictures,” which commemorated beloved performers shortly after their passing. Kunisada, one of the most prolific and celebrated ukiyo-e artists of his time, specialized in *yakusha-e* (actor prints), and this oban-sized sheet exemplifies his skill in conveying both likeness and emotional resonance. The print’s format reflects the vibrant print culture of 19th-century Japan, where theaters and publishers collaborated to produce affordable images that extended the excitement of kabuki beyond the stage. Rendered in luminous colors on paper measuring roughly 15 by 10 inches, the portrait would have allowed fans to honor Tamasuke’s legacy in their own homes. Kunisada’s refined line work and expressive depiction highlight the actor’s dignified presence, underscoring the deep cultural bond between performers and their audiences. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia collection, the print offers modern viewers a window into the theatrical world of Edo-period Japan and the sophisticated woodblock techniques that made such intimate tributes possible.

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...