Yamamoto Iwanojō, Son of Yamamoto Kyōshirō, as Shinoda Zuma in a Shosa Act

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with this exquisite woodblock print by Tor Kiyonobu II, created in 1747. Titled *Yamamoto Iwanoj, Son of Yamamoto Kyshirō, as Shin Zuma in a Shosa Act*, it captures the celebrated Kabuki actor in the female role of Shinoda Zuma during a dramatic *shosa* (lion dance) scene. Kiyonobu, a master of the Torii school specialized in *yakusha-e*—actor portraits that immortalized theater stars, blending realism with stylized flair to convey emotion and movement. During Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), ukiyo-e prints like this one celebrated the "floating world" of entertainment, where Kabuki thrived as popular culture. Actor prints were affordable souvenirs for fans, showcasing *onnagata* (male actors playing women) like Iwanojō, whose expressive pose amid trees and figures highlights the theatricality of the era. The intimate dimensions (11 1/2 x 5 9/16 in.) made it perfect for personal collections. Crafted with ink and color on paper through meticulous woodblock carving—where artisans layered colors via separate blocks—this print exemplifies Torii's bold lines and vivid hues. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (from The Howard Mansfield Collection, 1936), it offers a window into 18th-century Japan's cultural pulse, where art and performance danced as one.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonobu II · 1702–1752

Japanese, ca. 1702–1752