The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II as Kudo Suketsune (?) in the Play Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1769 (?)

Art Historical Context

This vibrant color woodblock print by Ippitsusai Buncho captures the dynamic presence of actor Sawamura Souro II in the role of Kudo Suketsune, from the 1769 kabuki play *Edo no Hana Wakayagi Soga* at Edo’s Ichimura Theater. Created around the height of the ukiyo-e movement, Buncho specialized in yakusha-e, or actor portraits, which celebrated the stars of Japan’s popular theater. His works often emphasized expressive poses and striking costumes, bringing the excitement of live performance to a wider audience through affordable prints. The hosoban format—a tall, narrow sheet measuring just 32 by 14.5 centimeters—was ideally suited for full-length depictions of actors, allowing viewers to appreciate the elegant lines of kimono and dramatic gestures. As a color woodblock print, it reflects the technical sophistication of mid-eighteenth-century Japanese printmaking, where multiple blocks were used to layer hues with precision. Such images served as both souvenirs for theatergoers and visual records of fleeting performances. Today, this work in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection offers a window into Edo-period culture, where art, fashion, and entertainment intertwined. It highlights how ukiyo-e elevated everyday spectacles into enduring artistic statements.