Japanese Theatre Art

Colorful woodblock prints depicting actors in traditional costumes, showcasing dramatic expressions and intricate details typical of Japanese theatrical art from the Edo period.

A woodcut illustration of a lady catching a ball., 1770., Page from book

Japan: 'Portraits and Poems of the Thirty-six Poetic Immortals'. Album of thirty-six paintings and poems by Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631-1705). Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631 - April 23, 1705), born Sumiyoshi Hirozumi, was a Japanese painter from Kyoto. He became the first official painter of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate, and was a Yamato-e artist, a painting technique based on traditional Japanese subjects and culture.

Arashi Rikan II as Konoshita Tôkichi. Arashi Rikan II as Konoshita Tôkichi in the piece "Konoshita Kage Hazama Gassen", Naka Theater, September 1835. With a poem signed by the author "Rikan".

Japan: 'Portraits and Poems of the Thirty-six Poetic Immortals'. Album of thirty-six paintings and poems by Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631-1705). Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631 - April 23, 1705), born Sumiyoshi Hirozumi, was a Japanese painter from Kyoto. He became the first official painter of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate, and was a Yamato-e artist, a painting technique based on traditional Japanese subjects and culture.

A woodcut illustration of a lady catching a ball., 1770., Page from book

The Second Segawa Kikunojo in the Role of Tegoshi no Shosho ca. 1757 Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese. The Second Segawa Kikunojo in the Role of Tegoshi no Shosho 54490

Actor in riding garb 1834 Japan. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono . Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro 3rd in an Unidentified Role. Artist: Ippitsusai Buncho (Japanese, active 1760-1794). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); W. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm). Date: ca. 1769. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

A Doll Representing a Boy Playing a Flute ca. 1780 Torii Kiyonaga Japanese. A Doll Representing a Boy Playing a Flute 36610

The Actor Ichikawa Haruzo II, from "A Picture Book of Stage Fans (Ehon butai ogi)". Ippitsusai Buncho; Japanese, active c. 1755-90. Date: 1770. Dimensions: 9 5/8 x 6 in. Color woodblock print; page from illustrated book. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II. Torii Kiyomitsu I; Japanese, 1735-1785. Date: 1753-1763. Dimensions: 14 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. Color woodblock print; o-hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Third Ichikawa Yaozo as a Daimyo Standing Under a Maple Tree. Artist: Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 5/8 x 5 3/4 in. (32.1 x 14.6 cm). Date: ca. 1783. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Otani Tomoemon () as a Peddler Trudging Through the Snow ca. 1778 Katsukawa Shunsh Japanese. Otani Tomoemon () as a Peddler Trudging Through the Snow. Katsukawa Shunsh (Japanese, 1726-1792). Japan. ca. 1778. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

A Geisha with a Shamisen. Artist: Kitagawa Kikumaro (Japanese, died 1830). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Aiban; H. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm); W. 9 1/16 in. (23 cm). Date: ca. 1815. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

fine arts, Kuniyoshi, Utagawa, (1798 - 1861), graphics, ""geisha in front of pavilion with dancers"", circa 1830 / 1840, colour woodcut, 38 cm x 25,3 cm, private collection,

The Actor ICHIKAWA EBIZO IN THE ROLE OF YURI NO HACHIZO Kunisada, UTAGAWA (1786 1864)

Hamamuraya: Segawa Kikunojo III as Shirabyoshi Hisakata, from the series "Portraits of Actors on Stage (Yakusha butai no sugata-e)". Utagawa Toyokuni I ; Japanese, 1769-1825. Date: 1789-1799. Dimensions: 38.7 x 26.0 cm (15 1/4 in. x 10 1/4 in.). Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

An Actor in a Female Role in Black Kimono, c. 1770-1790, Katsukawa Shun'ei, Japanese, 1762 - 1819, 12 11/16 × 5 1/4 in. (32.2 × 13.4 cm) (image, sheet, hosoban), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 18th century, Segawa Kikunojø III (1751-1810) was one of the most popular onnagata (female role actors) of his time. With his distinctive facial features, it must have been easy for artists to create recognizable portraits of him. This also made it all the more interesting to show the actor in different roles and settings. Shunkø's depiction of Kikunojø (right) shows him wearing the white robes and lacquered cap of a shirabyøshi dancer. Kikunojø, likely in his twenties, looks fresh and delicate-fitting for the portrayal of a young female dancer.

Kunisada, work, Actor Onoe Kikugoro III in the play Genbuku Soga (Soga's coming of age party), 1825, colored woodcut, graphics

Portrait of Oboshi Yuranosuke Yoshio (The Leader). Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797-1861). Calligrapher: Engraved by Yokogawa Horitake. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm); W. 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm). Date: 1852.The samurai in this print wears a jacket and chest protector similar in form to the two exhibited here. He is Oboshi Yuranosuke, the hero of The Treasury of Loyal Retainers (Chushingura), a beloved play that became an influential part of Edo popular culture. Based on a historical event, Chushingura tells the story of forty-seven loyal retainers whose lord was goaded into impropriety by an associate and then forced to commit ritual suicide. The retainers, led by Yuranosuke, bide their time and finally take revenge. Yuranosuke is seen here in the final act of the play after the entire group has attacked the residence of the former associate and avenged their lord's death. The banner Yuranosuke carries commemorates one of the retainers, Hayano Kanpei, who died

A Young Woman Reading A Letter 1790s Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese In this print, from a series portraying women in different phases of romance, Utamaro captures a young woman at the moment she stops to comtemplate a letter. She extends her hands from her robe to hold this letter from her lover that perhaps suggests their next meeting. She lifts her head, opens her mouth slightly, and looks into the distance. The large-head portrait format effectively captures her complex emotion, agony perhaps.. A Young Woman Reading A Letter. Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754-1806). Japan. 1790s. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Actor's portrait with poem, Kitao Shigemasa, 1762 print The actor Bando Hikosaburo II in the role of Kudo Kanaishimarii with two swords and an umbrella, from the play Nagi No Ha Izu No Sugatami, staged in the Nakamura-Szie in the eleventh month of 1762. Japan paper color woodcut portrait of actor, actress. umbrella

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as the maid Tsumagi in the play "Otokyama O-Edo no Ishizue," performed at the Kiri Theater in the eleventh month, 1794. Katsukawa Shun'ei; Japanese, 1762-1819. Date: 1789-1799. Dimensions: 33 x 14.8 cm (13 x 5 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Daimyo, a feudal lord, by Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), woodcut, Japan. Japanese Civilisation, 19th century.

Urashima Taro. The fisherman Urashima Taro, with fishing rod over his shoulder, next to large turtle, in the surf. According to the story, Urashima Taro saved a turtle that turned out to be a princess; As a reward he was allowed to live in her father's underwater palace. When he happened home after a short time, he turned out to have been away for 300 years.

Portrait of Hot Man, Yi, Ren, 1780

Colored woodcut by Utagawa Toyokuni II showing an actor holding a book, highlighting costume, posture, and expression.

The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Sakura-maru in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1772. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 31.3 x 15.5 cm (12 5/16 x 6 1/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV Seated in an Outer Room 1789 Katsukawa Shun'ei 川春英 Japanese. The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV Seated in an Outer Room 56807

Oiran () were the courtesans of Edo period Japan. The oiran were considered a type of yujo () 'woman of pleasure' or prostitute. However, they were distinguished from the yujo in that they were entertainers, and many became celebrities of their times outside the pleasure districts. Their art and fashions often set trends among the wealthy and, because of this, cultural aspects of oiran traditions continue to be preserved to this day. The oiran arose in the Edo period (1600-1868). At this time, laws were passed restricting brothels to walled districts set some distance from the city center. In the major cities these were the Shimabara in Kyoto, the Shinmachi in Osaka, and the Yoshiwara in Edo (present-day Tokyo). These rapidly grew into large, self-contained 'pleasure quarters' offering all manner of entertainments. Within, a courtesan’s birth rank held no distinction, which was fortunate considering many of the courtesans originated as the daughters of impoverished families who wer

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kakogawa Honzo, from the play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura, performed at the Nakamura Theater in the ninth month, 1780 1775-1785 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Print. Artist: Torii Kiyomasu I (Japanese, active 1696-1716). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 1/8 x 5 3/4 in. (30.8 x 14.6 cm). Date: ca. 1730. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Bando Hikosaburo III as Kichisaburo in the play Junshoku Edo Murasaki, performed at the Ichimura Theater in the first month, 1779 1779 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Torii Kiyonaga

Japan: 'Portraits and Poems of the Thirty-six Poetic Immortals'. Album of thirty-six paintings and poems by Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631-1705). Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631 - April 23, 1705), born Sumiyoshi Hirozumi, was a Japanese painter from Kyoto. He became the first official painter of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate, and was a Yamato-e artist, a painting technique based on traditional Japanese subjects and culture.

Bust portrait of Matsumoto Koshiro IV. The actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV in the role of the fishman Sakanaya Gorobei, with pipe in left hand; Against dark gray mica background. Scene from the Katakiuchi Noriaibanashi play, raised in the Kiri-Za in 1794.

The Poet Otomo no Kuronushi, from the series Six Immortal Poets (Rokkasen). Katsushika Hokusai ; Japanese, 1760-1849. Date: 1805-1815. Dimensions: 37.7 x 25.3 cm. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The actor Iwai Haushiro in the role of women Kuniyasu, utagawa (1794 1832)

Actors in the NOH theater piece Eboshiori, Tsukioka Kôgyo, 1926 print Actor with in white pants in the role of Yoshitsune, sword in right hand. Judge part of diptyk. paper color woodcut group of actors, troupe; actors on the stage

Minamoto No Yoshinaka; Yoshinaka; A dipperie; Nibantsuzuki. A man on a pillow, keeps his sake cup up so his loved one (depicted on the left leaf of this dip work) can pour it. This is the actor Ichikaiwa Danjûrô VII (1791-1859) in the role of Minamoto No Yoshinaka. With one poem.

Nichomachi in Fuchu, section of sheet no. 6 from the series "Pictures of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Tokaido gojusan tsugi zue)". Utagawa Hiroshige ; Japanese, 1797-1858. Date: 1856. Dimensions: 20.7 x 8.1 cm. Color woodblock print; section of harimaze sheet (uncut sheet: 1939.1301). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Actor Pointing to His Right, right sheet of pentaptych Favourites All Together in Full Flower. Date: twelfth month 1858. Dimensions: 37 cm x 25 cm. Museum: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. Author: UTAGAWA KUNISADA.

The Actor Arashi Hinaji as the maiko Uriuno in the play "Ume ya Suisen Izu no Irifune," performed at the Morita Theater in the eleventh month, 1763. Torii Kiyomitsu I; Japanese, 1735-1785. Date: 1763. Dimensions: 15 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. Color woodblock print; o-hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Matsumoto Yonesaburo as Kewaizaka no Shosho in the Play "Katakiuchi Noriyaibanashi". Artist: Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794-95). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 15 1/8 x 9 7/8 in. (38.4 x 25.1 cm). Date: ca. 1794.This portrait features another actor impersonating a female character, in this case an oiran, or high-ranking courtesan, in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters of Edo. But there is another layer to this act: the character portrayed, Kewaizaka no Shosho, is here pretending to be another character in the play, Shinobu. Kewaizaka affects the mannerisms of this haughty temptress with the lewd gesture of extruding her fingers from a fold of her kimono. The long thin pipe in her hand punctuates this gesture. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Portrait of Ono no Tsu_, c. 1660-1670, Unknown Japanese, 45 7/8 x 20 7/8 in. (116.5 x 53 cm) (image)92 1/2 x 25 3/16 in. (235 x 64 cm) (mount) 70.4cm W (w/rollers), Ink, color, gofun, and gold leaf on paper, Japan, Nikuhitsu ukiyo-e

Chinese C18 woodcut: The mouth - boils around the mouth

Yatsushi gyōja bushō amakawaya gihei | Library of Congress

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Godai Saburo Masazumi Disguised as Rokuju-rokubu in the Play Sugata no Hana Yuki no Kuronushi, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1776 1771-1781 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych ( ) . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Hour of the Ox (1 A.M.-3 A.M.) ca. 1794 Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese. The Hour of the Ox (1 A.M.-3 A.M.) 45013

Untitled. Date/Period: Last third of 18th century-early 19th century. Print. Woodblock print on paper. Height: 380 mm (14.96 in); Width: 250 mm (9.84 in). Author: Kitagawa Utamaro.

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Miura no Katagai Disuigsed as the Nun Narukami, in the Play Ume-goyomi Akebono Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Second Month, 1780 1775-1785 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; center sheet of triptych . Katsukawa Shunsho

Emperor Saga (峨天皇 Saga-tennō, February 8, 785 - August 24, 842) was the 52nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823. Saga was the second son of Emperor Kanmu and Fujiwara no Otomuro. His personal name was Kamino (神野). Saga was an accomplished calligrapher, able to compose in Chinese who held the first imperial poetry competitions (naien). According to legend, he was the first Japanese emperor to drink tea. Saga is traditionally venerated at his tomb; the Imperial Household Agency designates Saganoyamanoe no Misasagi (峨山上陵, Saganoyamanoe Imperial Mausoleum), in Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, as the location of Saga's mausoleum.

Papier: fujiwara NO SADAIE, YASHIMA GAKUTEI, C. 1827 The poet Fujiwara No Sadaie (1162-1241) at a writing table with a number of poetry notes (Shikishi) for himself. Two poems Japan paper color woodcut / polishing calligraphy

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the courtesan Umegae in the play "Hiragana Seisuiki," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the first month, 1764. Suzuki Harunobu ; Japanese, 1725 ()-1770. Date: 1764. Dimensions: 30.9 x 13.9 cm (12 1/8 x 5 3/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Portrait of a Lady, 17th century, Unknown Japanese, 19 13/16 × 13 3/4 in. (50.32 × 34.93 cm) (image)53 1/8 × 19 1/4 in. (134.94 × 48.9 cm) (mount, without rollers), Pigment and gold on paper, Japan, 17th century

Standing lady, 1770, Woodcuts, Page from book

Pop and box. A doll is located next to a chest of lacquer with four drawers and a large space to save the pop. On top is a handle to wear the box. The two poems refer to the doll festival, a party for girls held on the third day of the third month.

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1776-1786. Dimensions: 31.9 x 14.5 cm (12 9/16 x 5 11/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Beauty Looking Back. Date/Period: Edo period, 17th century. Painting. Color on silk. Height: 63 mm (2.48 in); Width: 31.20 mm (1.22 in). Author: HISHIKAWA MORONOBU.

Actor with Lang Zwaard, Utagawa Kunisada (I), 1823 print A kneeling man (Ichikawa Danjûrô (1791-1859)) in a overkimono with a pioneer of peonies holds a long sword. It may be the role of Kagekiyo in the play Yaegasumi Soga No Kuniito, staged in 1823 in the Ichimura Theater in Edo. With two poems. Right magazine of Diptiek. Japan paper color woodcut / polishing hacking and thrusting weapons: sword. adult man

The revenge of the Forty-seven Ronin (Shi-ju-shichi-shi), also known as the Forty-seven Samurai, the Aki vendetta, or the Genroku Aki incident (Genroku aki jiken) took place in Japan at the start of the 18th century. One noted Japanese scholar described the tale as the country's 'national legend'. It recounts the most famous case involving the samurai code of honor, bushidi. The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Ki zuke no suke. The ronin avenged their master's honor after patiently waiting and planning for two years to kill Kira. In turn, the ronin were themselves ordered to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder. With much embellishment, this true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that all good peopl

Kabuki Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX ca. 1759 Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese The actor's pen name, Kakitsu, is written to the right of his shoulder and his role and name to the left. His black and white crest is an orange-like fruit which appears also in the pattern of his robes. The first true color printing was introduced about 1741 and is called benizuri-e. Colors are usually limited to a delicate rose red (beni) and an apple green. Kiyomitsu has added a third gray color block. The pink is a fugitive color and fades to a yellowish tone, but the green is more permanent. It is rare to find a benizuri-e preserved in something near its original state.. Kabuki Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX. Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735-1785). Japan. ca. 1759. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Print. Artist: Utagawa Sadakage (Japanese, active mid-19th century). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Image: 13 5/8 × 9 1/2 in. (34.6 × 24.1 cm). Date: 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II in the role of Onoe, from the series: Portraits of actors on the stage /Yakusha butai sugata e Utagawa, toyokuni (1769 1825)

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Ebizo V (Ichikawa Danjuro VII) 1859 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

The Courtesan Arihara of the Tsuruya, and Child Attendants Aoe and Sekiya (Tsuruya uchi Arihara, Aoe, Sekiya), from an untitled series of courtesans 1792-1802 Japan. Color woodblcok print; aiban . Kitagawa Utamaro

A Chinese seated figure with ornamental bamboo staff and head-dress. Painting by a Chinese artist, ca. 1850.

Maruyama Okyo was a Japanese artist of the Edo Period who specialised in painting in a traditional Chinese style combined with Western elements such as perspective. This features in 'Portrait of a Chinese Beauty' with the use of reflection (albeit rather inaccurately rendered) in the mirror.

Japan, Kadonarabi, Bunsôsha, Ashichika, Bunshôsha, Tsuzumigoto, Buntsuen, Kunisada (I), Utagawa, Katsushika Shitennô, The four loyal vassals for the Katsushika poets' association, Woman with a sake kettle, verso - stamped, The actor Iwai Hanshirô VI (1799-1836) in the role of Ayaori, the wife of Teikô. In her hands she holds a cauldron filled with spiced rice wine (tososake), which is drunk at New Year. With three poems., surimono, tetraptych, prints, Japan (collection), passe-partout, lower left - printed, height 203 mm, width 179 mm, Japanese, 1786 - 1865, print maker, printmaker, 1834 - 1834, second quarter 19th century, paper, colour woodcut, blind stamping, polishing, poet

Actor Bando Hikosaburo in a robe in dragons Kunisada, UTAGAWA (1786 1864)

INKT: de CHINESE KEIZER GENSô, YASHIMA GAKUTEI, C. 1827 The T'ang emperor Hsüan Tsung (Gensô) (713-765) stands at his writing table and looks at a woman who appears from the rising ink. The woman is his favorite ceremony who was executed after being involved in state affairs. With two poems. Japan paper color woodcut calligraphy

Bandō Mitsugorō II as Ishii Genzō in the Play "Hana-ayame Bunroku Soga" ca. 1794 Tōshūsai Sharaku Japanese. Bandō Mitsugorō II as Ishii Genzō in the Play "Hana-ayame Bunroku Soga" 37367

Japan: Tokugawa Ieyasu (31 January 1543 - 1 June 1616), founder and first ruler of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1600-1868). Hanging scroll painting by Kano Tan'yu (1602-1674), 17th century. Tokugawa Ieyasu, born Matsudaira Takechiyo, was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but remained in power until his death in 1616. Ieyasu was posthumously enshrined at Nikk Tsh-g.

Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II with drawn sword, Ichikawa Yaozo II, Ippitsusai Bunchô (mentioned on object), Japan, 1768 - 1772, paper, colour woodcut, h 300 mm × w 142 mm

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Hatakeyama Shigetada Disguised as Honjo Soheiji ( ) in the Play Edo no Fuji Wakayagi Soga ( ), Performed at the Nakamura Theater ( ) in the First Month, 1789 ( ) 1784-1794 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition . Katsukawa Shun'ei

Miya no zu | Library of Congress

Lady in waiting standing, leaned back board from the album: Thirty six poets /Nishiki zuri onna sanju e zukushi EISHI, CHOBUNSAI (1756 1829)

Portrait of Wang Huan. Origin: China. Period: Northern Song dynasty. Ink and color on silk. Date: ca. 1056. Museum: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Ukiyo-e with portrait of an actor dressed as a warrior, 19th century, woodcut from the Kabuki Theatre series. Japanese civilization, Edo period (1603-1868).

Actor in the role of Toriyama Akisaku in the Play Shiranui Monogatari. Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (Japan, Edo, 1786-1865). 1859, 4th month. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print; one sheet of a triptych

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Ebizo V 1859 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa School

The Actor Segawa Kikunojō III in a Female Role. Katsukawa Shunshō (Japan, 1726-1792). Japan, circa 1778. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

Chen Hongshou (1598 - 1652), courtesy name Zhanghou and pseudonym Laolian, was a Chinese painter from Zhuji who lived during the late Ming Dynasty era. Chen trained under the famed artist Lan Ying, and developed a plump and profound brushwork style that lent itself to illustrations and tapestry portraits. Chen Zi (1634 - 1713), also from Zhuji, was the son of Chen Hongshou and a renowned artist in his own right.

Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Yazama Jūtarō, c. 1789, Katsukawa Shunkō, Japanese, 1743 - 1812, 12 5/8 × 5 13/16 in. (32.1 × 14.8 cm) (image, sheet, hosoban), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 18th century

Han Yige, c. 1368-1644. China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Hanging scroll, color on silk; painting: 142.9 x 82.1 cm (56 1/4 x 32 5/16 in.); overall with knobs: 194 x 95.5 cm (76 3/8 x 37 5/8 in.).

Beauty with Butterflies 18th century Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. Beauty with Butterflies 45787

Akter Onoe Kikugoro III GrająCY Na Shamisene / Shamisen o Mostu Sandaime Onoe Kikugoro III Utagawa, kuniyoshi (1797 1861)

Chikkan Iwanari, 1802, Woodcuts

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II in a pre-performance celebration of the play "Soga Monogatari," performed at the Morita Theater in the second month, 1773. Ippitsusai Buncho; Japanese, active c. 1755-90. Date: 1773. Dimensions: 30.2 x 13.7 cm (11 7/8 x 5 3/8 in.). Color woodblock print; left sheet of hosoban triptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III in an Unidentified Role 1785-1789 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunko I

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Ebizo V. Artist Unknown; Japanese, 19th century. Date: 1859. Dimensions: 36.3 x 25.1 cm (14 1/4 x 9 7/8 in.). Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: Utagawa school.

The Third Segawa Kikunojo as a Woman Walking Toward the Right 1774 or 1775 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Third Segawa Kikunojo as a Woman Walking Toward the Right 36876

Sotoori-hime (early 5th century), One of the Three Gods of PoetryFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1 ca. 1820s Yashima Gakutei Japanese Surimono are privately published woodblock prints, usually commissioned by individual poets or poetry groups as a form of New Years greeting card. The poems, most commonly kyōka (witty thirty-one-syllable verse), inscribed on the prints usually include felicitous imagery connected with spring, which in the lunar calendar begins on the first day of the first month. Themes of surimono are often erudite, frequently alluding to Japanese literary classics in both texts and images.This album forms part of a set of three containing more than four hundred surimono. The prints are arranged on facing leaves according to themes or in a way that creates an attractive arrangement of designs, complementary in both color and shape. The printing techniques, pigments, and paper used for surimono were often the highest quality, and represent the epit

Iwai hanshiro no shirabyoshi, The actor Iwai Hanshiro in the role of Shirabyoshi., Torii, Kiyotsune, artist, between 1764 and 1775, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 29.6 x 12.5 cm., Print shows Iwai Hanshiro, an actor, full-length portrait, standing, facing right, in the role of a shirabyoshi dancer (as a woman dressed as a man).

Kinuginu Tsuraito, 1802, Woodcuts

A Standing Man with a Green Hat

Uwaki no so, Flirtatious lover., Kitagawa, Utamaro, 1753-1806, artist, [between 1791 and 1793, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 34.2 x 22.6 cm., Print shows a woman with combs in her hair and a shawl draped over her bare shoulders, exposing her breasts.

Horimono-shi. The Metal Carver. Artist: Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1760-1849 Tokyo (Edo)). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (14 x 19.1 cm). Date: 1802. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Benzo I as Shuntokumaru 1762-1772 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e . Torii Kiyotsune

Ichikawa Yaozo (Tachibanaya) Utagawa Toyokuni I (Japanese, 1769-1825). Ichikawa Yaozo (Tachibanaya), ca. 1795. Color woodblock print on paper, 14 5/8 x 9 7/8 in. (37.2 x 25.1 cm). Asian Art ca. 1795

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro in the Role of Koshizuka. Artist: Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735-1785). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 7/8 × 5 3/8 in. (30.2 × 13.7 cm). Date: ca. 1767. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Sannogawa Ichimatsu in the role of Sanada no Yoichi and Nakamura Tomijuro in an unnamed role. Yoichi holds a fan, used by soldiers to signal with. Created by Nakajimaya (Japanese, active early 18th century), 1743. Woodcuts, Printed in rose, green, and black. Image 11 5/8 x 5 1/2 in. (29.5 x 14 cm)

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