The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Honcho-maru Tsunagoro (?) in the Play Hono Nitta Daimyojin (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the Seventh Month, 1777 (?)

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese kabuki theater with this exquisite color woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunsho, a leading master of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." Titled *The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Honcho-maru Tsunagoro* (possibly) from the play *Hono Nitta Daimyojin* (?), performed at the Morita Theater (?), this work dates to around 1777. It captures the renowned actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV in dynamic pose, embodying the dramatic role with expressive flair. As the right sheet of a diptych in the narrow hosoban format (31.9 × 14 cm), it invites viewers to imagine its paired left panel, completing a theatrical portrait. Shunsho's genius shines in yakusha-e, prints celebrating kabuki stars, which fueled Edo-period (1603–1868) fandom much like modern celebrity culture. Produced during the seventh month of 1777, this piece reflects the Morita Theater's bustling performances, where actors like Koshiro IV drew massive crowds with tales of heroism and intrigue. Woodblock printing's layered colors—achieved by inking multiple blocks—bring the actor's costume, makeup, and gesture to life, highlighting Shunsho's precise lines and subtle shading. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print offers a window into Japan's thriving print culture, where affordable art democratized theater's spectacle. A testament to Shunsho's influence on later ukiyo-e giants like Hokusai, it reminds us how these ephemeral images preserved fleeting moments of cultural glory.