Slaghout met portret van Ichikawa Danjûrô VII en langoustine
ca. 1825
Medium
nishikie, with metallic pigments, blindprinting and tsuyazuri
Dimensions
201; 170
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
collector's mark, passe-partout, bottom left, printed: JABdH with a rooster.
Art Historical Context
**Slaghout met portret Ichikawa Danjûô VII en langoust** is a captivating ukiyo-e woodblock print by Totoyakei, a prominent Japanese artist active during the Edo period (ca. 1825). Hokkei, a pupil of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, specialized in surimono—luxurious, privately commissioned prints often exchanged as New Year's greetings among literati. This intimate work (201 × 170 mm) features a portrait of the renowned kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VII alongside a langoustine dangling from a slaghout (butcher's hook), blending theatrical portraiture with playful still-life elements typical of the "floating world" genre. The print's nishikie (brocade picture) medium shines through advanced techniques: metallic pigments for a jewel-like shimmer, blindprinting for subtle embossed textures, and tsuyazuri for glossy, lacquered highlights that mimic dew or varnish. These innovations elevated surimono beyond mass-produced ukiyo-e, making them collector's treasures. A discreet collector's mark at the bottom left—"JABdH" with a rooster—hints at its prized status in European collections, reflecting the global fascination with Japanese art during the 19th century. Culturally, the piece celebrates kabuki's star power, where actors like Danjûrô VII embodied larger-than-life roles. Hokkei's whimsical composition invites viewers to ponder the harmony of drama and everyday bounty, offering a window into Edo Japan's vibrant print culture. A delightful gem for any ukiyo-e enthusiast!
About the Artist
Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850
Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...