The Actors Onoe Kikugoro I and Utagawa Shirogoro

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 18th-century Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Tor Kiyomasu II craftedThe Actors Onoe Kikugoro I and Utagawa Shirogoro* around 1747. As a master of the Torii school, renowned for yakusha-e (actor prints), Kiyomasu II captured the dramatic flair of kabuki theater stars. This hosoban—a narrow, vertical format ideal for single-sheet prints—cases Onoe Kikugoro I, a celebrated onnagata (female impersonator), alongside Utagawa Shirogoro, freezing their expressive poses mid-performance for theater fans. Printed as a benizuri-e, or "rose-colored print," the work employs an innovative early color technique using two woodblocks: one for black outlines and patterns, the other layering beni (safflower red) for vivid pinks and subtle hues. At just 28.7 × 14.5 cm, its intimate scale made it affordable and collectible, bridging art and popular culture in Japan's ukiyo-e "floating world" tradition. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this woodblock print highlights kabuki's cultural dominance, where prints served as playbills and celebrity portraits. Kiyomasu II's dynamic composition not only preserves theatrical history but also foreshadows the full-color nishiki-e revolution, offering visitors a window into Edo's lively entertainment scene.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyomasu II · 1706–1763

At one point this artist was incorrectly identified as Kiyonobu II.