The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon VIII, Ichimura Kamezo I as Wankyu, and Nakamura Kiyosaburo I as Matsuyama in the play "Mitsugimono Irifune Nagoya," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the seventh month, 1750

Art Historical Context

This vibrant woodblock print by Torii Kiyonobu II captures three celebrateduki actors—Ichimurazaemon VIII, Ichimuraamezo I, and Nakamura Kiyaburo I—in roles from the 1750 play “Mitsugimono Irifune Nagoya” at Edo’s Ichimura Theater. Created in the seventh month of year, the work preserves a fleeting performance moment, reflecting the deep connection between ukiyo-e artists and the lively world of kabuki theater during Japan’s Edo period. Kiyonobu II belonged to the influential Torii school, renowned for its actor portraits that helped popularize kabuki stars among the public. The print’s hosoban format—a tall, narrow sheet—perfectly suited full-length depictions of performers in dynamic poses, while its benizuri-e technique employed limited colors, primarily soft pinks and greens, to add subtle depth and elegance without the complexity of later full-color methods. As a window into 18th-century Japanese entertainment culture, this piece highlights how theater, fashion, and visual art intertwined to shape popular tastes. Today it offers viewers a glimpse of the expressive gestures and costumes that once thrilled audiences in Edo’s bustling playhouses.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonobu II · 1702–1752

Japanese, ca. 1702–1752