The Third Ichikawa Yaozo in the Role of the Otokodate Sukeroku

Art Historical Context

This striking woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunkō captures the celebrated kabuki actor Ichikawa Yaozo III in the of Sukeroku, a dashing otokodate (chivalrous commoner) from the popular play *Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura*. Created in 1784 during Japan’s Edo period, the work exemplifies the vibrant tradition of yakusha-e, or actor portraits, which brought the excitement of the theater into everyday life. Shunkō, a leading artist of the Katsukawa school, was renowned for his dynamic depictions of performers, often emphasizing their expressive poses and distinctive costumes. As a hosoban-format print made with ink and color on paper, this piece reflects the accessible yet sophisticated techniques of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, which allowed for widespread distribution of theatrical imagery. The inclusion of an umbrella, visible in the composition, adds a lively detail typical of stage scenes, hinting at the dramatic flair of Sukeroku’s character. Such prints served not only as souvenirs for theatergoers but also as important cultural records of Edo-period entertainment and fashion. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian Art collection, the work offers modern viewers a window into Japan’s rich theatrical heritage and the golden age of actor portraiture.

About the Artist

Katsukawa Shunkō · 1743–1812

Katsukawa Shunkō I (1743–1812) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who pioneered the ōkubi-e (large-head) portrait format in kabuki actor prints and served as possibly the first student of Katsukawa Shunshō, the founder of the influential Katsukawa school. Born in 1743, Shunkō spent his entire life in Edo (modern Tokyo), working as both a painter and ukiyo-e printmaker specializing in yakusha-e (actor p...