The actor Kataoka Nizaemon Vll as Iyo no Taro in the play "Seiwa Nidai Oyose Genji," performed at the Miyako Theater in the eleventh month, 1796

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th Japanese theater with Utagawa Kunimasa *The Actor Kataoka Nizaemon as Iyo no Taro in the Play "Seiwa Nidaiose Genji,"* in 1796. This striking color woodblock print captures the celebrated kabuki actor in a dynamic pose from a performance at Kyoto's Miyako Theater during the eleventh lunar month. Kunimasa a master of the Utagawa within the ukiyo-e—"pictures of the floating world"—specialized in yakusha-e, or actor portraits, that immortalized the era's theatrical superstars for everyday fans. Printed on oban-sized paper (35.2 × 25.2 cm), this work exemplifies the meticulous woodblock technique: intricate carvings on multiple blocks for layered colors, achieved through collaboration between artists, carvers, printers, and publishers. The vivid hues and expressive lines highlight Kataoka's fierce expression and flowing robes, evoking the drama of the Genji-themed play, which drew from legendary samurai tales. During Japan's Edo period, such prints democratized kabuki culture, allowing commoners to own affordable souvenirs of live performances. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece reflects ukiyo-e's cultural zenith, blending artistry with popular entertainment and preserving a fleeting moment of theatrical splendor for generations.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kunimasa · 1773–1810

Utagawa Kunimasa (1773–1810) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist specializing in yakusha-e, or Kabuki actor prints, during the late Edo period. Born in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture in 1773, Kunimasa initially worked in a local dye factory for several years before pursuing his true passion. As an ardent Kabuki theatre enthusiast, he relocated to Edo (modern Tokyo) to establish himself as an artist capable ...