Portrait of Arashi Kichizaburō III (1810–1864) in the Role of Baiōmaru

Art Historical Context

This striking woodblock print by Uawa Kunisada captures celebrated kabuki actorashi Kichizabō III in the of Baiōmaru 1840. Kunisada, one of the most prolific masters of the ukiyo-e tradition during Japan’s Edo period, specialized in dynamic portraits of actors that brought the excitement of the theater into everyday homes. The vertical ōban format allowed for dramatic full-body or three-quarter views, emphasizing the expressive poses and elaborate costumes that defined kabuki performances. Created during a golden age of Japanese culture, such prints served as both souvenirs and celebrity imagery, much like modern posters. They were produced through a collaborative process involving designers, carvers, and printers, resulting in vibrant colors on paper that made art accessible beyond the elite. Kunisada’s bold lines and attention to theatrical detail highlight the actor’s intense, reflecting the period’s fascination with drama, heroism, and fleeting beauty. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian Art collection, this work offers a vivid window into Edo-era entertainment and the artistic innovations that made ukiyo-e a global influence.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kunisada · 1786–1864

**Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)** Born in 1786 in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo), Utagawa Kunisada hailed from a family with a hereditary ferry-boat service that provided financial stability, allowing him to pursue art from a young age. His father, an amateur poet of note, died shortly after his birth, leaving young Sumida Shōgorō (Kunisada's childhood name) to nurture his evident talent...