The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II in the Role of Soga no Goro
ca. 1772
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H. 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm); W. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Accession Number
JP909
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Katsukawa Shunkō's woodblock print *The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II in the Role of Soga no Goro* (ca. 1772) captures the dramatic flair of kabuki theater. Shunkō, a leading figure in the Katsukawa school, specialized in yakusha-e—portraits of actors—that brought the "floating world" of entertainment to life for everyday viewers. Here, the celebrated onnagata (male actor specializing in female roles) Ichikawa Yaozo II embodies Soga no Goro, a fierce warrior from the legendary tale of fraternal revenge, striking a dynamic pose with sword in hand. This intimate vertical print, measuring just 12⅞ × 6 inches, exemplifies ukiyo-e techniques: intricate woodblocks carved to layer vibrant inks and colors on paper, allowing affordable mass production. Shunkō's bold lines and expressive face convey Goro's intensity, highlighting the artistry behind kabuki's larger-than-life performances. Such prints were cultural touchstones, fueling fan fervor and preserving theater history. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this gift from the Estate of Samuel Isham in 1914 offers a window into Japan's theatrical golden age, where art and performance blurred in thrilling harmony.
About the Artist
Katsukawa Shunkō · 1743–1812
Katsukawa Shunkō I (1743–1812) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who pioneered the ōkubi-e (large-head) portrait format in kabuki actor prints and served as possibly the first student of Katsukawa Shunshō, the founder of the influential Katsukawa school. Born in 1743, Shunkō spent his entire life in Edo (modern Tokyo), working as both a painter and ukiyo-e printmaker specializing in yakusha-e (actor p...