The actors Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Mongaku and Matsumoto Koshiro V as Fudo Myoo

Art Historical Context

This striking color woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada I (also known as Toyokuni III) captures two celebrated kabuki actors in powerful, mythological roles. Created around 1829–32, it portrays Ichikawa Danjuro VII as the ascetic monk Mongaku and Matsumoto Koshiro V as Fudo Myoo, the fierce Buddhist deity. Kunisada, one of the leading ukiyo-e artists of his generation, specialized in actor prints that brought the excitement of the kabuki stage to a wide audience. The work is a vertical shikishiban diptych in the surimono format—a luxurious, privately commissioned print often produced for poetry circles or special occasions. Its refined technique, including vibrant colors and subtle embossing, reflects the high level of craftsmanship in early nineteenth-century Japanese printmaking. Measuring just over seventeen inches tall, the compact format draws viewers into the intense expressions and dynamic poses that define these dramatic characters. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia collection, the print offers a vivid glimpse into Edo-period theater culture and the enduring popularity of kabuki. It highlights how artists like Kunisada transformed stage performances into enduring works of art that continue to fascinate viewers today.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) · 1786–1864

Utagawa Kunisada I, also known as Toyokuni III (1786–1865), was born Sumida Shōgorō in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo) into a family that operated a hereditary ferry-boat service, providing stability after his father's early death. Displaying prodigious talent in drawing from childhood, he became an apprentice to the master Utagawa Toyokuni I around 1801 at age fifteen, entering the prest...