The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kudo Kanaishi in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese kab theater with this striking color woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunsho, leading master of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") school. Created around 1772, it portrays the renowned actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in role of Kudo Kishi from the play *Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu*, performed at the prestigious Morita Theater in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the eleventh month. As the center sheet of a triptych in the narrow hosoban format—measuring just 31.8 × 15 cm—this intimate print would have been part of a larger panoramic scene, capturing a dramatic moment on stage. Shunsho's genius lies in his yakusha-e (actor portraits), which revolutionized woodblock printing by blending bold lines, rich colors, and expressive poses to convey the actors' charisma and emotional depth. Printed from multiple carved wooden blocks inked with pigments, these affordable artworks democratized access to kabuki culture, adorning homes across Japan during the Edo period. Danjuro V, a kabuki legend from the Ichikawa lineage, embodied the aragoto style of heroic, exaggerated roles, making this image a snapshot of theater's golden age. Held in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print highlights ukiyo-e's enduring cultural legacy—bridging art, performance, and everyday life in a time when kabuki stars were as idolized as modern celebrities.