Votive plaque of the actor Bando Mitsugoro III as Sasaki Takatsuna

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, Utagawa Hiroshige's 1821 *Votive plaque of the actor Bando Mitsoro III as Sasaki Takuna* captures the theatrical splendor of kabuki. This intimate color woodblock print depicts the celebrated actor in the role of the legendary samurai Sasaki Takatsuna a heroic figure from medieval tales of valor and loyalty. Produced as a *surimono*—a luxurious, privately commissioned print often for New Year's greetings or poetry circles—the work's *shikishiban* format (a square roughly 20.8 × 18 cm) made it perfect for personal altars or collections. Hiroshige, who would later master poetic landscapes, honed his skills early on with dynamic *yakusha-e* (actor portraits), blending precise lines and vivid colors to freeze dramatic poses. Surimono like this elevated woodblock printing beyond mass production, incorporating refined techniques such as subtle embossing, mica dusting, and rich pigments for a tactile, jewel-like quality accessible mainly to affluent patrons. Culturally, it bridges kabuki's star system—where actors like Bando Mitsugoro III were idols—with spiritual devotion, as "votive plaques" honored deities or sought blessings. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print illuminates ukiyo-e's role in celebrating Japan's fleeting pleasures and enduring heroes.

About the Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige · 1826–1869

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), born Andō Tokutarō, was the last great master of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printmaking and one of the most influential landscape artists in history. Born in Edo (modern Tokyo) into a low-ranking samurai family serving as fire wardens, Hiroshige transformed landscape printmaking into a poetic meditation on nature, weather, and everyday life. His revolutionary approac...