The Actors Sanjo Kantaro II as Osome and Ichikawa Monnosuke as Hisamatsu in the play "Osome Hisamatsu Tamoto no Shiro Shibori," performed at the Morita theater, 1720
c. 1720
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, beni-e
Dimensions
33 × 16 cm (13 × 6 5/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
19490
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, Okumura Masanobu's *The Actors Sanjo Kantaro as Osome and Ich Monnosuke as His* (c. 1720) captures a thrilling moment from the kabuki play *Osome Hisamatsu Tamoto no Shibori* at the Morita theater. This-colored woodblock print showcases two star performers in their iconic roles: Sanjo Kant II as the devoted Osome and Ichikawa Monnosuke as her lover Hisamatsu, embodying the tragic romance that captivated audiences with its themes of forbidden love and sacrifice. Masanobu, a pioneering ukiyo-e artist active in early 18th-century Tokyo, specialized in yakusha-e (actor prints) that brought the drama of kabuki to everyday viewers. Printed in the narrow hosoban format (33 × 16 cm), this beni-e—or "crimson picture"—features delicate hand-applied red pigments over black outlines, an innovative technique that added vivid life to monochromatic blocks. Such prints democratized theater culture, allowing fans to own affordable souvenirs of live performances. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this work highlights the golden age of kabuki and ukiyo-e's role in preserving fleeting theatrical moments, blending artistry with popular entertainment.
About the Artist
Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764
Japanese, 1686–1764