The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as Soga no Goro in the play "Soga Koyomi Biraki," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month

Art Historical Context

This striking hand-colored woodblock print from 1723 captures the dynamic presence of Ichikawa Danjuro II in the role of Soga no Goro, a heroic character from the kabuki play "Soga Koyomi Biraki." Created by Torii Kiyotomo, the work was produced for the Nakamura Theater in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the first month of the lunar calendar, serving as both a theatrical souvenir and a vivid record of popular performance culture in early 18th-century Japan. Measuring just 33.9 × 16 cm, the print is rendered in the narrow hosoban format typical of actor portraits. As a beni-e, it features delicate hand-applied colors—most notably the soft red derived from safflower dye—over a black ink outline. This technique marks an important transitional stage in Japanese printmaking, bridging simple monochrome designs and the later full-color ukiyo-e that would flourish mid-century. Torii Kiyotomo’s work reflects the close relationship between the Torii school of artists and the kabuki stage, where prints helped immortalize actors’ signature poses and expressions for enthusiastic audiences. Today, this piece in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection offers a rare glimpse into the vibrant world of Edo-period theater and the beginnings of Japan’s celebrated woodblock print tradition.