Japanese Woodblock Prints

A collection of colorful Japanese woodblock prints featuring historical Kabuki actors in traditional attire and dynamic poses, capturing the essence of Edo-period theatre.

Ichikawa Danjuro V ca. 1780 Katsukawa Shunkō Japanese. Ichikawa Danjuro V 56853

Sakata Hangoro III in the Role of Yahazu no Yadahei. Toshusai Sharaku ; Japanese, active 1794-95. Date: 1789-1799. Dimensions: 31.8 x 14.8 cm. Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actors Nakamura Takesaburo as Shikishi Naishinno and Tsuruya Nanboku as Gengoro in the play "Tategami Teika Kazura," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1719. Okumura Toshinobu; Japanese, active c. 1717-50. Date: 1719. Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as Soga no Juro in the play "Hanabusa Bunshin Soga," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the first month, 1733 (). Torii Kiyonobu II; Japanese, active c. 1725-61. Date: 1728-1738. Dimensions: 33.0 x 16.2 cm. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Kabuki Actor Kawaharazaki Gonjuro as Kagekiyo Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786-1865). The Kabuki Actor Kawaharazaki Gonjuro as Kagekiyo, 1861. Color woodblock print on paper, 14 1/4 x 9 3/4 in. (36.2 x 24.8 cm). Asian Art 1861

The Actors Segawa Kikunojo II as Itsuki and Bando Hikosaburo II as Oyamada Taro in the play "Taiheiki Shizunome Furisode," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the eleventh month, 1767. Kitao Shigemasa; Japanese, 1739-1820. Date: 1767. Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 5 12 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Ichikawa Danjuro V ca. 1780 Katsukawa Shunkō Japanese. Ichikawa Danjuro V 56853

Scene from a Modified Soga Play. Artist: Torii Kiyomasu I (Japanese, active 1696-1716). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm); W. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm). Date: ca. 1745. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

An Oiran Accompanied by Two Kamuro. Artist: Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752-1815). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm); W. 10 5/16 in. (26.2 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Three actors at a room screen. Actor with sword in right hand, standing with room screen on which image of eagle on rock in the sea with red sun.

The Actor Ichikawa Ebizo III as Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo ( ) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami ( ), Performed at the Nakamura Theater ( ) in the Third Month, 1773 ( ) 1768-1778 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo, 1690-1749 with Drawn Sword and Helmet Nishimura Shigenaga Japanese. The Actor Segawa Kikunojo, 1690-1749 with Drawn Sword and Helmet. Nishimura Shigenaga (Japanese, 1697-1756). Japan. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

The actor Iwai Kumesaburo in the role of a woman with an umbrella /Onna Date Arahama no Otatsu Kunisada, UTAGAWA (1786 1864)

Woman of Ōhara with Firewood Bundle and Kite, around 1900, After Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese, 1760 - 1849, 8 1/8 × 6 1/2 in. (20.6 × 16.5 cm) (image, sheet, shikishiban), Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan, 19th century, Meiji-period reproduction

The Second Ichikawa Monnosuke as a Samurai Standing by a Wooden Bench. Artist: Katsukawa Shun'ei (Japanese, 1762-1819). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 5/16 x 5 1/2 in. (31.3 x 14.0 cm). Date: ca. 1794. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo Sukestune () in the Play Kokimazete Takao Soga (), Performed at the Ichimura Theater () in the Second Month, 1778. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1773-1783. Dimensions: 32.2 x 15.1 cm (12 11/16 x 5 15/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-gassen Onna Maizuru, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1777 1772-1782 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Tachibanaya Ichikawa Yaozo III as Fuwa Banzaemon, from the series Portraits of Actors on Stage (Yakusha butai no sugata-e) 1794 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Toyokuni I

Chang'e, Ch'ang-O, Chang-Ngo or Sheung Ngo, originally known as Heng'e or Heng-O,, is the Chinese goddess of the moon. Unlike many lunar deities in other cultures who personify the moon, Chang'e only lives on the moon. Chang'e is the subject of several legends in Chinese mythology, most of which incorporate several of the following elements: Houyi the Archer, a benevolent or malevolent emperor, an elixir of life, and indeed the moon.

Kitsugawa Yumon fights with a giant carp, Utagawa Kunisada (I), 1856 print paper color woodcut bony fishes: carp. hacking and thrusting weapons: sword. fight between man and animal

The Actor Nakamura Takesaburo I as Kewaizaka no Shosho ( ) 1713-1723 Japan. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e . Torii Kiyonobu I

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II in the Role of Soga no Goro ca. 1772 Katsukawa Shunkō Japanese. The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II in the Role of Soga no Goro 54649

Actor Playing Seigen Doshin in the play Hana butai banjaku soga. Utagawa Toyokuni I ; Japanese, 1769-1825. Date: 1802. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Yamashina Shirojuro in the Role of Nagoya Sanzaemon. Artist: Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794-95). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Image: 12 3/4 x 6 in. (32.4 x 15.2 cm). Date: 1794-95.The samurai in this print wears an overvest (kataginu) with matching trousers (hakama), a less formal ensemble than the jacket (suo) and long trousers (nagabakama) shown in this case.The print, part of a triptych, presents the actor Yamashina Shirojuro in the role of the samurai Nagoya Sanzaemon from the kabuki play Keisei sanbon karakasa (The Courtesan and the Three Umbrellas). In the play, Nagoya Sanzaemon is killed and his son avenges his death. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Onoe Matsusuke I as a Samurai Standing Beneath a Cherry Tree, late 1780s. Katsukawa Shunei (Japanese, 1762-1819). Color woodblock print; sheet: 32.4 x 15 cm (12 3/4 x 5 7/8 in.).

The Actor Otani Hiroji III in an Unidentified Role. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1765-1775. Dimensions: 31.1 x 14.4 cm (12 1/4 x 5 5/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Famous samurai Teranishi Kanshin. Utagawa, Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), graphic artist

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Nagoya Sanzaburo in the play "Higashiyama-dono Kabuki no Tsuitachi," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1766. Kitao Shigemasa; Japanese, 1739-1820. Date: 1766. Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 5 3/8 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo Suketsune 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 . Rantokusai Shundô

Japan, Yamashiro, Kiyomitsu, Torii (I), Girl and the Thunder God Raijin, below print on passe-partout - stamped, Girl with hat in right hand, standing by river, looking up at the thunder god Rajin on a black cloud; Raijin with drumsticks in right hand, sitting by open music book and board with text 'kyo yasumi' (day off today)., print, prints, Japan (collection), under print on passe-partout - stamped, height 297 mm, width 137 mm, 1735 - 1785, print maker, printmaker, 1755 - 1760, third quarter 18th century, paper, colour woodcut, Publication (Event), Publication, Japanese, publisher

Katoka Dengoemon Takafusa, Leaf 15 from the series: History of Loyal Fools. Gift by Justus Brinckmann

fine arts, Hiroshige, Ando, (1797 - 1858), graphics, actor portrait, surimono (greeting sheet), first half 19th century, colour woodcut, private collection,

The Actor Ichikawa Ebizo III as Kudo Saemon Suketsune in the Play Kamuri Kotoba Soga no Yukari, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1776. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1771-1781. Dimensions: 32.8 x 15.1 cm (12 15/16 x 5 15/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo Suketsune ( ) in the Play Iro Moyo Aoyagi Soga ( ), Performed at the Nakamura Theater ( ) in the Second Month, 1775 ( ) 1770-1780 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Kunisada, work, Actor Nakamura Denzo () in the play Azumakagami Soga no sewagoto (History of the Soga family), 1857, color woodblock print, graphics

The Actor Iwai Kiyotaro II. Katsukawa Shun'ei; Japanese, 1762-1819. Date: 1790-1799. Dimensions: 32.5 x 14.3 cm (12 13/16 x 5 5/8 in.). Color woodblock print; left sheet of hosoban diptych (right: 1939.1807). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

A woman and a Chinese warrior Katsushika, hokusai (1760 1849)

Ōtaka Tomono. Donation Gerhard Schack

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in an Unidentified Role 1768-1778 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Scene from a Kabuki theatre performance. In this highly stylised Japanese dance-drama, from 1629 all roles had to be played by men. Those who specialised in female roles were known as onnagata. Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864) Japanese artist and printmaker. Coloured woodblock print.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Izu no Jiro Disguised as Kemmaku no Sabu in the Play Edo-zakura Sono Omokage, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1769. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1764-1774. Dimensions: 31.2 x 14.7 cm (12 5/16 x 5 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Omori Hikoshichi, Japanese Prints

Nakayama Tomisaburo 1788-1820 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Enkyo

Contemporary Rendition of a Rogue: Kinezumi Kichigor 19th century Utagawa Kunisada Japanese. Contemporary Rendition of a Rogue: Kinezumi Kichigor. Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1864). Japan. 19th century. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Gosotei Hirosada; Meirakudô / 'El actor Nakamura Utaemon en el papelde Kudô Suketsune', 1851, Japanese School, Paper, 255 mm x 195 mm, G05665. Museum: MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID, SPAIN.

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Kikusui (Kikusui Gozen) in the Play Kaeribana Eiyu Taiheiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1779 1774-1784 Japan

The Actor Sanjo Kantaro II as Oshichi in the play "Nanakusa Fukki Soga," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the first month, 1718. Torii Kiyomasu II; Japanese, 1706 ()-1763 (). Date: 1718. Dimensions: 13 1/4 x 6 in. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

NAKAMURA UTAEMON IV ALS KUMAGAI JIRô in HET TONEELSTUK 'Ichinotani Futaba Gunki', NAKA THEATER, 1850 print paper riding a horse, ass, or mule; rider, horseman. actor (on the stage). beach (+ landscape with figures, staffage) Naka theater

Boyasha Sonnijo, in or after c. 1827 - in or before c. 1830 print Boyasha Sonnijo struggling with her opponent and his horse in the snow. paper color woodcut fighting. snow. horse

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Odai, an Eboshi (Hat) Seller, in the Play Hana-zumo Genji Hiiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1770-1780. Dimensions: 32.8 x 14.8 cm (12 15/16 x 5 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Wakashu disguised as a mendicant priest playing a flute, 18th-19th century, Utagawa Toyokuni, Japanese, 1769 - 1825, 28 9/16 × 9 3/4 in. (72.5 × 24.8 cm) (image, sheet, kakemono-e), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 18th-19th century

The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Kawatabiya Mombei in the Play Oyoroi Ebido Shinozuka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 30.7 x 13.8 cm (12 1/16 x 5 7/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Akager Ieam to Joka YeemonJapanese (culture), Japanese art

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichimura Takenojo V. Utagawa Kunimaro I; Japanese, active c. 1850-75. Date: 1851. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Morita Kanya VIII as Kawachi Kanja, Disguised as Genkaibo. Artist: Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794-95). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 14 11/16 x 5 3/4 in. (37.3 x 14.6 cm). Date: 1794-95. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke I as Kusunoki Masatsura and Arashi Wakano as Oyuki in the play "Honen Taiheiki," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the eleventh month, 1723. Okumura Toshinobu; Japanese, active c. 1717-50. Date: 1723. Dimensions: 33.5 x 16.2 cm. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Sagami, 1846 print The Schurk Takumi, sitting on a travel box and with lantern in his hand, kicks Okiku's sword to the ground. Okiku wanted to kill Takumi to avenge her father murdered by him. Scene from a kabukitis piece. Poem by Sagami. paper color woodcut lantern. aggressive relationships, enmity, animosity. hacking and thrusting weapons: sword

In the Style of a Young Man (Wakashu fu), Left Sheet of Triptych (Sanpukutsui hidari) 1725-1735 Japan. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e . Nishimura Shigenaga

The actor Bandō Mitsugorō IV as Fuwa Banzaemon. Donation Gerhard Schack

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo I as Mizue Gozen in the play "Suehiro Izu Nikki," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the eleventh month, 1745 (). Torii Kiyomasu II; Japanese, 1706 ()-1763 (). Date: 1740-1750. Dimensions: 30.2 x 14.3 cm (11 7/8 x 5 5/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Bugaku Dancer in Genjraku Role. Artist: Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese, 1760-1849

Yoshidabashi, between Totsuka and Fujisawa: The actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as Matsuwaka, sheet 6.5 from the series: The 53 stations of Tōkaido. .

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Soga no Goro Disguised as a Komuso in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1771 1766-1776 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition ( ) . Katsukawa Shunsho

Victorious Sumo, Japanese Prints

Higashi no kata Arakuma - digital file from original print | Library of Congress

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as a Mendicant Monk in the Joruri "Midarezaki Hana no Irogoromo" (Colorful Cloth Profusely Flowered), from Part Two of Act Six of the Play Keisei Ide no Yamabuki (Courtesan: Kerria Roses at Ide) (), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the Sixth Day of the Fifth Month, 1787. Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1782-1792. Dimensions: 31.5 x 13.9 cm (12 3/8 x 5 1/2 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; part of a multisheet print. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Arashi Rikan II as Inuzuka Shino Moritaka and Nakamura Utaemon III as Inukai Kenpachi Michinobu Battling (from the series The Eight Heroes of the Satomi Clan), 1834. Ryūsai Shigeharu (Japanese). Color woodblock print; sheet: 36.9 x 25.2 cm (14 1/2 x 9 15/16 in.).

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Araoka Hachiro in the Play Sakimasu ya Ume no Kachidoki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1778. Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1773-1783. Dimensions: 32.2 x 14.8 cm (12 11/16 x 5 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Sotoorihime, a goddess of Japanese poetry. A woman wears a rich kimono, in her hand a folded range. The three gods of Japanese poetry (wakasanjin) are three poets with a lot of sights. With one poem.

Two Women Looking in Mirrors. Artist: Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757-1820). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 6 5/8 in. (20.6 x 16.8 cm). Date: 19th century.This composition is activated by a diagonal line formed by the darting gazes of the two women and the spectator. The standing woman looks at the reflection of her face while she also sees the reflection of the back of her head. Instead of looking at the mirror in her own hand, the seated woman gazes at the standing woman. Does she see her own reflection in the mirror that reflects the standing woman's coiffure Does the standing woman also see a reflection of the seated lady as well as the back of her head The seated lady holds a mirror, whose verso bears a family crest with two characters combined into a diphthong. Perhaps this wordplay mimicks the theme of overlap and duality conveyed by the use of three mirrors. The poem translates as; "If you use a mirror which reflects ancient time, that will bring you the flawless virtue of

Seigen Languishing for His Love, Princess Sakura (Seigen daraku no zu). Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; Japanese, 1839-1892. Date: 1884-1892. Dimensions: 73.8 x 26 cm. Color woodblock prints; oban diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro II as the Sumo Wrestler Matano no Goro in the Play Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1765-1775. Dimensions: 30.8 x 13.6 cm (12 1/8 x 5 3/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of triptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Fourth Matsumoto Koshiro as a Man Standing on the Bank of a River ca. 1785 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Fourth Matsumoto Koshiro as a Man Standing on the Bank of a River 36829

The First Nakamura Nakazo in the Role of Chinzei Hachiro in the Drama "Kite Kaeru nishiki no wakayagi". Artist: Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 3/4 x 6 in. (32.4 x 15.2 cm). Date: 12th month, 1780. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

A female demon with a dead infant in her teeth flies off as two men look on in shocked amazement. Colour woodcut by Ikumaru, 1867.

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

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Akugenda Yoshira Disguised as a Pilgrim, in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1772-1782. Dimensions: 30.4 x 14.6 cm (11 15/16 x 5 3/4 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition (). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Tametomo, The Archer, Pulling Cloth, Kunisada (i), Utagawa, 1854 print The famous archer Hachirô Tametomo, in harness, with red banner over his shoulders. The sea in the background. Middle leaf of a triptych on which three people pull a red banner on the beach. Tametomo is played by Kabuki actor Kataoka Gadô II. paper colour woodcut

Bathing man by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), Colour woodcut, 1863, 1786-1865, Private Collection

Actors in the Noh Theaterpiece Kokaji, Tsukioka Kôgyo, 1925 print Dancing actor in the role of the goddess inari no myojin, with mask and wild white wig, in which a small statue of a fox. Left part of diptyk. paper color woodcut group of actors, troupe; actors on the stage

Onoe Matsusuke as a Samurai of the Fujiwara Clan. Artist: Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 4/5 x 5 7/8 in. (32.5 x 14.9 cm). Date: ca. 1782. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Nagasaki Kageyuzaemon Disguised as Gorohachi the Sake Seller, in the Play Hikitsurete Yagoe Taiheiki, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1776 1771-1781 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Ikushima Daikichi as an Oiran on Parade in the Streets of the Yoshiwara. Artist: Torii Kiyonobu (Japanese, 1664-1729). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 20 31/32 x 11 7/8 in. (53.3 x 30.2 cm). Date: ca. 1701-06. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Kochi Fish with Eggplant, from the series Uozukushi (Every Variety of Fish). Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797-1858 Tokyo (Edo)). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 14 9/16 in. (28.6 x 37 cm). Date: 1830s. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ichikawa Ichizô I als Gorômaru en Mimasu Daigorô IV als Minamoto Yoritomo. Ichikawa Ichizô I als Gorômaru en Mimasu Daigorô IV als Minamoto Yoritomo, in het stuk "Keisei Soga Kamakura dajin", Naka Theater, januari 1848

Ruan Xiao'er (Ritchitaisai Genshoji), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)". Utagawa Kuniyoshi; Japanese, 1797-1861. Date: 1822-1835. Dimensions: 38.0 x 25.9 cm (14 15/16 x 10 3/16 in.). Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Onoe Matsusuke Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1793). Onoe Matsusuke, ca. 1780. Color woodblock print on paper, 12 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. (31.8 x 14.6 cm). Asian Art ca. 1780

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Abe no Sadato () in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori (), Performed at the Morita Theater () in the Eleventh Month, 1778 (). Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1773-1783. Dimensions: 32.3 x 15.3 cm (12 11/16 x 6 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Courtesan, 1700s. Studio of Kaigetsudō Ando (Japanese, c. 1671-1743). Hanging scroll; ink and color paper; overall: 182.9 x 53.4 cm (72 x 21 in.); overall: 181.6 x 47.8 cm (71 1/2 x 18 13/16 in.); painting only: 95.7 x 35.5 cm (37 11/16 x 14 in.); painting only: 97.4 x 35.5 cm (38 3/8 x 14 in.). Paintings of the courtesans who provided men with a sophisticated menu of appealing fashions, flattery, witty banter, music, dancing, and sexual services in the Yoshiwara district of the city of Edo (Tokyo) were the bread and butter of the Kaigetsud studio, in whose style this work is painted. Their paintings emphasized bold, sweeping calligraphic ink lines in rendering the figures’ forms, along with high-contrast colors and patterns in their typically solitary subjects’ garments. Aside from the occasional prop or poem, the space around the dramatic figure was left entirely blank.

Actor, Danjuro, Impersonating Murubashi Chuye. Artist: Toryusai (Japanese, active ca. 1785-1800). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 x 5 1/2 in. (30.5 x 14 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Actor Segawa Tomisaburo II as the Courtesan Toyama and Actor Ichikawa Kurizo as Higashiyama Yoshiwakamaru. Artist: Toshusai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794-95). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 31/32 x 5 31/32 in. (33 x 15.2 cm). Date: 1794-95. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Asao Tamejuro I as Drunken Gotobei in Act Three of the Play Yoshitsune Koshigoe Jo (Yoshitsune's Koshigoe Petition), Performed at the Ichimura Theater from the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month, 1790. Katsukawa Shun'ei; Japanese, 1762-1819. Date: 1785-1795. Dimensions: 32.9 x 14.7 cm (12 7/8 x 5 3/4 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Young Man Playing Ushiwaka. Okumura Toshinobu; Japanese, active c. 1717-50. Date: 1720-1730. Dimensions: 11 7/8 x 6 in. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Fourth Ichikawa Danjuro in Shibaraku. Artist: Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 11/32 x 5 1/2 in. (31.4 x 14.0 cm). Date: 12th month, 1774. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The actors Iwai Hanshiro IV (R) as Ohan of the Shinanoya and Bando Hikosaburo III (L) as Obiya Choemon. Toshusai Sharaku ; Japanese, active 1794-95; Publisher: Tsuta-Ya Juzaburo; Japanese, 1748-1797. Date: 1794. Dimensions: 38.4 x 25.4 cm. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: TOSHUSAI SHARAKU.

Pleasure Boat at Ryogoku Bridge (Ryogoku suzumibune), section of a sheet from the series Cutouts of Famous Places in Edo (Harimaze Koto meisho) 1852 Japan. Color woodblock print; section of harimaze sheet . Utagawa Hiroshige

Harness of the Tachibana family with scroll painting; Tachibana - Fumonbon Kikusuiyoroi; The four considerable clans from Japan; Shisei No Uchi. A harness and a roll-out arrow on a table. With one poem. A copy from the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Monkey Trainer with a Monkey at the New Year. Kishi Bunsho; Japanese, 1754-1796. Date: 1775-1794. Dimensions: 29.3 x 14.9 cm (11 5/8 x 7 5/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The actor Iwai Hanshiro VII as suetsumuhara, sheet 6 from the series: The 54 chapters of the Edo Violet. .

Ichimura Uzaemon IX in the Role of Kiyohime in Musume Dōjōji (the Girl of Dōjōji) ca. 1771 Ippitsusai Bunchō Japanese. Ichimura Uzaemon IX in the Role of Kiyohime in Musume Dōjōji (the Girl of Dōjōji) 56814

Enjō Kihachirō, 1867, 4th lunar month, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; Publisher: Sanoya Tomigorō; Carver: Shimizu Ryūzo, Japanese, 1839 - 1892, 13 3/4 × 9 11/16 in. (34.93 × 24.61 cm) (image, vertical ōban)14 1/16 × 9 11/16 in. (35.72 × 24.61 cm) (sheet), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 19th century

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