The actors Segawa Kikunojo III as the courtesan Kojoro of the Mikuniya and Arashi Sanpachi I as her elder brother Kujuro in the play "Tomigaoka Koi no Yamabiraki," performed at the Kiri Theater in the first month, 1798

Art Historical Context

This vibrant woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I captures a dramatic moment from the kabuki play *Tomigaoka Koi no Yamabiraki*, performed at the prestigious Kiri Theater in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the first lunar month of 1798. It features renowned actors Segawa Kikunojo III the courtesan Kojoro of the Mikuniya and Arashi Sanpachi I as her elder brother Kujuro. Toyokuni, a leading figure in the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition, specialized in yakusha-e—dynamic portraits of kabuki performers that brought the theater's energy to everyday viewers. Printed in the oban format (a standard large size of about 37.3 × 24.3 cm), this color woodblock exemplifies the meticulous Japanese technique: separate woodblocks carved for each color and layer, hand-rubbed with inks to create rich, flat hues and bold outlines. During the Edo period, such affordable prints democratized kabuki culture, immortalizing star actors and scenes for fans who couldn't attend live performances. Toyokuni's expressive poses and intricate costumes highlight the onnagata (male actors playing female roles) artistry central to kabuki. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this work offers a window into 18th-century Japan's thriving entertainment world, blending artistry, theater, and social life.

About the Artist

Utagawa Toyokuni I · 1777–1835

Japanese, 1777–1835