The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as Kumenosuke and Takinaka Hidematsu I as Oume, from "Sharing an Umbrella: A Triptych (Aigasa sanpukutsui)"

Art Historical Context

This captivating woodblock print by Tor Kiyonobu II captures two celebrated kabuki actors in character: Sanogawaimatsu I as Kumuke and Takinaka Hidematsu I as Oume. Created around 1745 as the center sheet of the triptych “Sharing an Umbrella,” the work portrays a tender moment likely drawn from a popular Edo-period play. The intimate scene reflects the era’s fascination with theatrical romance and the star power of kabuki performers, whose likenesses were eagerly collected by theatergoers. Torii Kiyonobu II belonged to the influential Torii school, renowned for its elegant depictions of actors in dynamic poses. The print employs the benizuri-e technique, an early form of color woodblock printing that relies on a delicate palette of beni red, green, and black. Measuring just 29.3 × 15 cm, this hosoban-format sheet demonstrates the precision and economy of ukiyo-e production, allowing affordable art to circulate widely among the merchant class. Such actor prints played a vital role in shaping public taste and preserving theatrical history. By focusing on expressive faces and graceful gestures, Kiyonobu II invites viewers to share in the emotional world of the stage, offering a vivid glimpse into 18th-century Japanese popular culture.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonobu II · 1702–1752

Japanese, ca. 1702–1752