The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Koroku in the play "Furitsumu Hana Nidai Genji," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1765

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Japanese theater with *The Actor Onoe Matsus I as Koroku in play "Furitsumu Nidai Genji,"* a captivating woodblock print by Torii Kiyomitsu, created in 1765. This hosoban-format piece—narrow and upright at just 31.2 × 14 cm—depicts famed kabuki actor Onoe Matsusuke I in his role as Koroku, performed at Edo's Ichimura Theater during eleventh month. Kiyomitsu, a master of the Torii school renowned for yakusha-e (actor portraits), brings the stage to life with dynamic pose and expressive features, immortalizing a fleeting theatrical moment. Printed as a benizuri-e, an early color technique using subtle pinks (beni), blues, and greens over black outlines, this work exemplifies the ingenuity of ukiyo-e before full-color nishiki-e emerged. The narrow hosoban size made it affordable and portable, ideal for fans to collect as souvenirs or advertisements, fueling kabuki's massive popularity in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). This print not only showcases Kiyomitsu's skill in capturing drama and personality but also highlights theater's cultural pulse—where actors like Matsusuke were celebrities. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, it invites us to appreciate how woodblock prints democratized art, bridging stage glamour with everyday life.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyomitsu I · 1735–1785

Japanese, 1735–1785