Nakamura Sōjūrō I as Sano Genzaemon
Medium
Color woodblock print; ōban triptych
Dimensions
73 × 36.8 cm (28 3/4 × 14 1/2 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
100636
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This scene comes from a Kabuki tale set in the Kamakura period (1192–1333). Featuring murder, revenge, and retribution, the plot revolves around the conflict between a samurai named Sano Genzaemon and the government of the time. Here we see Sano Genzaemon standing on a veranda at night with the sea in the background. He has drawn one of his swords as he tries to protect himself against an unseen and unknown assailant.
About the Artist
Toyohara Kunichika · 1835–1900
Japanese, 1835–1900