The Actor Danjuro III as an Itinerant Peddler

Art Historical Context

Step into the bustling theater world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868) with Katsukawa Shunsh's captivating woodblock print, * Actor Danjuro III an Itinerant Pedler*. Created by the master ukiyo-e Shunshō (1726–1792), this niki-e—meaning "brocade picture"—depicts the legendary kabuki actor Ichikawajūrō III in role of a wandering peddler. At just 12 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches, its narrow vertical format mimics the ōban sheets popular for displaying actor likenesses, or *yakusha-e*, in homes and shops. Shunshō's genius shines in the print's vibrant inks and colors layered via intricate woodblock carving, a technique that democratized art for everyday viewers. Kabuki, with its dramatic poses and elaborate costumes, was a cultural obsession, and stars like Danjūrō III embodied the era's "floating world" of fleeting pleasures. This work captures the actor's expressive features and humble attire, blending realism with theatrical flair. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department from the Henry L. Phillips Collection, it invites us to appreciate how ukiyo-e prints preserved kabuki's allure, influencing global art from Impressionism onward. A delightful glimpse into Japan's performative past!

About the Artist

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章 (Japanese) · 1726 –1792

Japanese, 1726–1792