Japanese Woodblock Prints

Colorful woodblock prints showcasing traditional actors in theatrical performances, highlighting elaborate costumes and expressive poses.

Chiemon, but actually Onmaya no Kisanda. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japan, 1797-1861)Ebiya Rinnosuke (Japan, active 1840s-1870s). circa 1847-1852. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Watanabe no Tsuna in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1776-1786. Dimensions: 31.4 x 12.5 cm (12 3/8 x 4 15/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VI as Fuwa no Bansaku. Toshusai Sharaku ; Japanese, active 1794-95. Date: 1794. Dimensions: 31.0 x 14.4 cm. Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: TOSHUSAI SHARAKU.

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V, Probably as Ise no Saburo Disguised as Sanjo Uemon, Leader of a Robber Gang, in Part Two of the Play Fude-hajime Kanjincho (First Calligraphy of the New Year Kanjincho The Subscription List), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the Fifteenth Day of the First Month, 1784 1779-1789 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of triptych ( ) . Katsukawa Shunko I

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Danshichi Kurobei in Act Eight of the Play Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami (Mirror of Osaka in the Summer Festival), Performed at the Morita Theater from the Seventeenth Day of the Seventh Month, 1779. Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1774-1784. Dimensions: 31.6 x 14.2 cm (12 7/16 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; right sheet of hosoban diptych (left: 1928.311). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Sanagawa Ichimatsu 1st as a Wakashu (Fashionable Youth) in the Drama "Momo-Chidori Shiraume" ca. 1750 Torii Kiyonobu I Japanese. The Actor Sanagawa Ichimatsu 1st as a Wakashu (Fashionable Youth) in the Drama "Momo-Chidori Shiraume" 55494

Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō IV. Attributed to Katsukawa Shunkō (Japanese, 1743-1812). Color woodblock print; sheet: 28.9 x 13.8 cm (11 3/8 x 5 7/16 in.).

Actor Sakata Hongoro II as a Wrestler in a Play ca. 1770 Ippitsusai Bunchō Japanese. Actor Sakata Hongoro II as a Wrestler in a Play 55149

Onnagata actor Iwai Hanshirô as Toshigoshi-no Kamegiku. Toyokuni, Utagawa (1769-1825), graphic artist

Chiemon, but actually Onmaya no Kisanda. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japan, 1797-1861)Ebiya Rinnosuke (Japan, active 1840s-1870s). circa 1847-1852. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Tsukisayo in the Play Gohiiki Nenne Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1779. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1774-1784. Dimensions: 29 x 14.1 cm (11 7/16 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Ashikaga Takauji in the Play Kaeribana Eiyu Taiheiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1779. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1774-1784. Dimensions: 32.9 x 15.1 cm (12 15/16 x 5 15/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Portrait of an Actor. Artist: Ippitsusai Buncho (Japanese, active 1760-1794). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm); W. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Date: ca. 1770. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Raizo I as Hanakawado no Sukeroku in the scene Sukeroku” in the play Hitokidori Harutsuge Soga ( The Soga Play Announcement of the Spring Season by the Bush Warbler ) 1759-1769 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych ( ) . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke in the Role of Soga no Gorō. Torii Kiyonaga (Japan, 1752-1815). circa 1778-1779. Prints; woodblocks. Black and white woodblock print

The Actors Sakakiyama Sangoro as the page boy Kichisaburo and Segawa Kikunojo II as Oshichi in the play "Hatsugai Wada no Sakamori," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month, 1759. Torii Kiyomitsu I; Japanese, 1735-1785. Date: 1759. Dimensions: 11 3/4 x 5 1/8 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Arashi Hinaji in an Unidentified Female Role 1767-1777 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Portrait of the actor Ichimura Uzaemon; page from the album Ehon butai ogi" (Illustrated book of scene portraits in the shape of fan). Ippitsusai, Bunchô (act. c.1765-1792), graphic artist

The actor Sawamura Tossho as Yoemon 1825-1845 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Kuniyoshi

The Actor Sakata Hangoro III as Omi no Kotoda in the Play Haru no Nishiki Date-zome Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Second Month, 1790 1785-1795 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition . Katsukawa Shunko I

Nakamura Nakazo II in the Role of Aramaki Mimishiro Kanetora Disguised as Saiwaka. Toshusai Sharaku ; Japanese, active 1794-95. Date: 1789-1799. Dimensions: 31.4 x 13.8 cm. Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Arashi Hinaji in an Unidentified Female Role. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 12 13/16 x 5 13/16 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

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. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1775-1785. Dimensions: 13 x 5 3/4 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Soga no Goro and Segawa Kikunojo III as Tsukisayo, in the play "Nanakusa Yosooi Soga," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month, 1782. Torii Kiyonaga; Japanese, 1752-1815. Date: 1777-1787. Dimensions: 38.6 x 25.5 cm. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Chōdayu of the Okamotoya from the series , 1790-1848. Keisai Eisen (Japanese, 1790-1848). Color woodblock print; sheet: 38.2 x 24.8 cm (15 1/16 x 9 3/4 in.).

Actor as Tokihira probably 1815 Utagawa Kunisada Japanese. Actor as Tokihira 54824

The actor Ichikawa Hakuen as Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo in the play Hatsumonbi Yosooi Soga, performed at the Kawarazaki Theater in the first month, 1802 1802 Japan. Color woodblock print . Utagawa Toyokuni I

Nakamura Matsue in Miyajima, 1825. By Shunko Hokushu

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as the Boatman Minagawa Shin'emon of Reisengasaki in Kamakura, Actually Hata Rokurozaemon Tokiyoshi (Yondai-me Matsumoto Koshiro no Kamakura Reizengasaki no sendo Minagawa Shin'emon, jitsuwa Hata Rokurozaemon) 1789-1799 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, nishiki-e . Tôshûsai Sharaku

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Akoya in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1779. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1774-1784. Dimensions: 31.3 x 14.1 cm (12 5/16 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Courtesan from the Myōgaya House ca. 1712 Torii Kiyomasu I Japanese The subject of this print attributed to Torii Kiyomasu is a standing courtesan reading a poem slip. The inscription on the print, Komachi in the Yoshiwara District, refers to the famous Heian poetess, Ono no Komachi, and is thus an acknowledgement of the literary accomplishments of many Yoshiwara courtesans. The unfinished fragment, evoking the hope and the cyclical nature of spring, reads as follows: Life is full of trouble,but the plum blossoms by the window.. The woman is tiny, but in her voluminous robes with their large-scale decoration of myōga (Japanese ginger), she boldly promotes her house while conveying an ageless grandeur that echoes the sentiment of the poem.. Courtesan from the Myōgaya House 45052

The Actors Nakamura Nakazo I as Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo Disguised as a Pilgrim (left), and Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kazusa no Gorobei Tadamitsu (right), in the "Silent Encounter" Scene (Dammari) from the End of Part One of the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka (Returning Home in Splendor), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1780. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1775-1785. Dimensions: 26.4 x 19 cm (10 3/8 x 7 1/2 in.). Color woodblock print; chuban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Seigen in the Play Ise-goyomi Daido Ninen, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fall, 1768 1763-1773 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Ippitsusai Buncho

Acteur Ichikawa Danjuro in EEN SHIBARAKU ROL, Katsukawa Shunsho, 1773-1777 print Actor in red skirt on which robe with crane pattern, in the left hand a fan and right hand extended backwards. Japan paper color woodcut portrait of actor, actress. fan

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Ume no Yoshihei in the Play Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi, Performed at the Kiri Theater in the First Month, 1796. Katsukawa Shun'ei; Japanese, 1762-1819. Date: 1791-1801. Dimensions: 32.3 x 14.4 cm (12 11/16 x 5 11/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of triptych (left sheet: 1925.2502). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Juzo II as Asahara Hachiro Disguised as the Servant of a Princely Family, in the Play Onna Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1768-1778. Dimensions: 30.2 x 14.8 cm (11 7/8 x 5 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro as a Woman Wearing a Red Cape ca. 1772 Ippitsusai Bunchō Japanese. The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro as a Woman Wearing a Red Cape 55507

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as the Renegade Monk Dainichibo in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed at the Morita Theater in the First Month, 1779. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1774-1784. Dimensions: 31.5 x 14.4 cm (12 3/8 x 5 11/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Colored woodcut by Shunsho depicting an acting scene on a sawn-off tree trunk, featuring fallen flowers resembling go stones.

The Second Nakajima Mihoemon in the Role of Sadaijin Jihei 1776 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Second Nakajima Mihoemon in the Role of Sadaijin Jihei 36824

Bando Mitsugoro I in the Role of Asahina no Saburo, Drama "Sono Kyodai Fuji no Sugatami". Artist: Katsukawa Shunko (Japanese, 1743-1812). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); W. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm). Date: 1776. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ariwara no narihira, Kitagawa, Utamaro, 1753-1806, artist, [between 1804 and 1806, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 38.4 x 26 cm., Print shows a woman with the poet Ariwara Narihira as a boy with bow and arrows and wearing fan-shaped blinders.

The Third Segawa Kikunojo in the Role of Oboshi Rikiya. Artist: Katsukawa Shunko (Japanese, 1743-1812). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. (31.8 x 14.6 cm). Date: 1787. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Koroku in the play "Furitsumu Hana Nidai Genji," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1765. Torii Kiyomitsu I; Japanese, 1735-1785. Date: 1765. Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Bando Matakuro I. Attributed to Torii Kiyonobu I; Japanese, 1664-1729. Date: 1695-1705. Dimensions: 29.1 x 14.3 cm (11 7/16 x 5 5/8 in.). Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, tan-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in a Shibaraku (Stop Right There!) Role as Hannya no Goro. Artist: Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Hosoban 12 9/16 x 5 7/8 in. (31.9 x 14.9 cm). Date: 11th month 1776. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as Owata in the play "Taiheiki Shizunome Furisode," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the eleventh month, 1767. Kitao Shigemasa; Japanese, 1739-1820. Date: 1767. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Kajiwara Genta no Kagetoki in a dance interlude in scene two of the Joruri "Courtesan's Rouge on a Snow White Face (Oyama Beni Yuki no Sugao)" from the play "Cotton Wadding of Izu Protecting the Matrimonial Chrysanthemums (Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata)," performed at the Ichimura Theater from the first day of the eleventh month, 1770. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1765-1775. Dimensions: 30.8 x 14 cm (12 1/8 x 5 1/2 in.). Color woodblock print; left sheet of hosoban triptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Shinomiya Heihachi 1695-1705 Japan. Hand-colored woodblock print; o-oban, tan-e . Torii Kiyonobu I

The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro I with His Sword Drawn in a Defiant Attitude. Artist: Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 7/8 x 5 3/4 in. (30.2 x 14.6 cm). Date: 1726-1792. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Ogino Isaburō in the Role of Katorihime ca. 1734 Torii Kiyomasu I Japanese. The Actor Ogino Isaburō in the Role of Katorihime 56729

Artist: Katsukawa Shunei, Japanese, 1762-1819, Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V, ca. 1792, Polychrome woodblock print, sheet: 5 5/8 × 12 1/2 in. (14.3 × 31.8 cm), Japan, Japanese, Edo period (1615-1868), Works on Paper - Prints

The Second Ichikawa Monnosuke as a Man Dressed in a Kimono ca. 1793 Katsukawa Shun'ei Japanese. The Second Ichikawa Monnosuke as a Man Dressed in a Kimono. Katsukawa Shun'ei (Japanese, 1762-1819). Japan. ca. 1793. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Oiran and kamuro in festive clothes during the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival). Utagawa, Kunisada I (1786-1864), graphic artist

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Dozaemon Denkichi in the Play Yaoya Oshichi, Performed at the Kiri Theater in the Fourth Month, 1785. Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1780-1790. Dimensions: 32.7 x 14.7 cm (12 7/8 x 5 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Sugawara Michizane crossing to China (Toto Tenjin) 1770-1779 Japan. Woodblock print; hosoban, sumizuri-e . Kitao Shigemasa

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

Japan, Shunsho, Katsukawa, Actor Otani Hiroemon III as villain, verso - stamped, Actor, in green and orange kimono with circular patterns, with sword in left hand looking at wrapped object on table., print, engraving, prints, engravings, Japan (collection), height 320 mm, width 147 mm, Japanese, 1726 - 1792, print maker, printmaker, 1773 - 1777, third quarter 18th century, fourth quarter 18th century, paper, colour woodcut

Colored woodcut by Utagawa Toyokuni I showing the actor Nakamura Yonesaburo in a female role, highlighting costume, posture, and facial expression.

The Toothbrush Shop, Yanagi-ya Ippitsusai Buncho (Japanese, 1725-1794, active 1765-1780). The Toothbrush Shop, Yanagi-ya, ca. 1773. Color woodblock print on paper, 11 15/16 x 5 7/8 in. (30.4 x 14.9 cm). Asian Art ca. 1773

The Actor Otani Hiroji III in an Unidentified Role 1775-1785 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actors Ichikawa Ebizo II as Musashibo Benkei, Sakata Shintaro ( ) as Soga no Goro, and Takigawa Kinya ( ) as Soga no Juro in the play Sazareishi Suehiro Genji, performed at the Nakamura Theater in the first month, 1744 1744 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e . Torii Kiyonobu II

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Hige no Ikyu in the Play Nanakusa Yosooi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1782 1777-1787 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; center sheet of pentaptych . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Otani Hiroji I as Asahina Saburo. Attributed to Torii Kiyonobu I; Japanese, 1664-1729. Date: 1718-1728. Dimensions: 30.8 x 15.8 cm (12 1/8 x 6 3/16 in.). Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, tan-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Yoshiwara in Edo - A Set of Three (Edo Yoshiwara sanpukutsui) 1731-1749 Japan. Hand-colored woodblock print; left sheet of toku-oban triptych, beni-e . Ishikawa Toyonobu

Actor Nakamura Gentaro as Takiguchi's Wife Shinonome Torii Kiyonobu I (Japanese, 1664-1729). Actor Nakamura Gentaro as Takiguchi's Wife Shinonome, circa 1702. Woodblock print, Sheet: 28 x 22 in. (71.1 x 55.9 cm). A sign painter by training, Torii Kiyonobu I was one of the first artists to design actor prints. Such early prints consisted of a single woodblock impression in black. The subject of this print, the actor Nakamura Gentarō, was an onnagata, or specialist in playing female roles. Although Kabuki began with all-female casts, in 1629 the Japanese government prohibited women from participating because their presence onstage was considered too erotic. However, substituting men for women did little to quell audience infatuations. As a result, onnagatas became popular with both potential suitors and followers of fashion. Asian Art circa 1702

The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as the Hairdresser Obana Saizaburo in the Play Koi Musume Mukashi Hachijo, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1776 1771-1781 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych ( ) . Katsukawa Shunsho

The king of Holland; Bankoku Jimbutsu Zue; Portraits of people of the stranger (Lett. Barbarian) countries. Man (Hollander) for feet, depicted as a Japanese Samurai. His right hand leans on a sword; The left points to the right. Head with beard, medium length curls hair a headgear looks to the left. A fur mantle over his shoulders. Text in Japanese characters left and right of the figure. Spoters at the top left (poem in Japanese characters). King Willem III caricatural fantasy portrait.

Kudanme, Act nine of the Chushingura., Katsushika, Hokusai, 1760-1849, artist, between 1801 and 1805, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 19.6 x 8 cm., Print shows a woman putting on a hat.

The Actor Arashi Otohachi I as Numataro Kyusei Disguised as the Burglar Ipponzaemon in the Play Otokoyama Yunzei Kurabe, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1768 1763-1773 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Kartikeya, The War God

A Courtesan with Her Child Attendant 1710-1720 Japan. Woodblock print; o-oban, sumizuri-e . Torii Kiyonobu I

Beauty standing beside morning glories. Kikukawa Eizan; Japanese, 1787-1867. Date: 1809-1822. Dimensions: 37.3 x 24.1 cm (14 11/16 x 9 1/2 in.). Color woodblock print; right sheet of oban triptych (center sheet: 1963.614). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Hakamadare Yasusuke or Watanabe no Tsuna ( ) in the Play Shintenno Tonoi no Kisewata ( ), Performed at the Nakamura Theater ( ) in the Eleventh Month, 1781 ( ) 1776-1786 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych . Katsukawa Shunsho

Kadoide yoshi, Leaving on a trip., Totoya, Hokkei, 1780-1850, artist, between 1825 and 1835, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 19.9 x 17.1 cm., Print shows a woman walking past a pine tree at the beginning of a journey.

The Actor Sanogawa Mangiku as a woman walking in the snow. Okumura Toshinobu; Japanese, active c. 1717-50. Date: 1737-1747. Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 5 5/8 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Ogawa zengoro, ichikawa danjuro, yamashita kinsaku, The actors Ogawa Zengoro, Ichikawa Danjuro, Yamashita Kinsaku., Torii, Kiyomasu, active 1720-early 1760s, artist, between 1723 and 1727, printed later, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 37.1 x 17.3 cm.

Yang Zhi (Seimenju Yoshi), from the series One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori) 1822-1835 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Deity Strzeg Cebram - Menshen in a warrior's outfit; the beginning of the 20th century (1900-00-00-1910-00-00);Antonina (1901-1994), Jabłońska, Jabłoński, Witold (1901-1957), Witold (1901-1957)-collection, Chinese (culture), gift (provenance), graphic prints, Chinese art

Japan, Shunsho, Katsukawa, Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in the role of a courtesan, Actor as a courtesan in brown-yellow checked kimono and long pipe in right hand; against a background of stylized butterfly and flower patterns., print, prent, prints, Japan (collection), height 325 mm, width 147 mm, Japanese, 1726 - 1792, print maker, printmaker, 1780 - 1790, fourth quarter 18th century, paper, colour woodcut

Seated Woman with Shamisen Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849). Seated Woman with Shamisen, ca. 1825. Ink on paper, 9 13/16 x 13 7/16 in. (25 x 34.2 cm). Asian Art ca. 1825

Woman with scroll. 1801 - 1900. Prints. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro II as Osada no Taro Kagemune Disguised as the Woodcutter Gankutsu no Gorozo in the Play Nue no Mori Ichiyo no Mato, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1765-1775. Dimensions: 31 x 13.8 cm (12 3/16 x 5 7/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Watanabe Kiou Takiguchi ( ) in the Play Nue no Mori Ichiyo no Mato ( ), Performed at the Nakamura Theater ( ) in the Eleventh Month, 1770 ( ) 1765-1775 Japan. Color woodblock print; illustration cut from Ehon Zoku Butai Ogi (1778) . Katsukawa Shunsho

Sugawara-no Michizane, courtier, scholar and poet, seated against the background of pine tree and blossoming plum tree. unknown, author

Japanese warriors by Hironobu, Color woodcut, circa 1865, active 1851-1870, Private Collection, 25,8x18,8

A Flower Vendor. Nishimura Shigenobu; Japanese, active c. 1723-47. Date: 1737-1738. Dimensions: 30.5 x 15.2 cm (12 x 6 in.). Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro II as Kagekiyo Disguised as Omi Yawatanosuke in the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 25.4 x 18.2 cm (10 x 7 3/16 in.). Color woodblock print; chuban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Tatsuoka Hisagiku in the Role of Kurenai. Artist: Kiyonobu II (Japanese, active 1720-1750). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 x 6 in. (30.5 x 15.2 cm). Date: 1739.The Osaka Kabuki actor Tatsuoka Hisagaku appeared in the role of the young woman Kurenai, carrying a New Year's decoration of pine, crane and tortoise in the play "Miyakozome Kaoru Hachinoki" which was produced in Tokyo at the Nakamuraza theather in 1739. Often the colors of a hand-painted print were enriched by a glossy, lacquer-like black (urushi) made by mixing black ink and glue. In addition, brass filings are sprinkled on the robe to highlight the design and to give the print a richer, more painterly effect. The artist's and publisher's names are prominently displayed in a cartouche across the bottom of the print. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Couple in an Evening Shower, From the series Three Evening Pleasures of the Floating World. Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754-1806). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 20 x 8 1/2 in. (50.8 x 21.6 cm). Date: ca. 1800.The title of the series reveals that it parodies three evening scenes from the early-thirteenth-century anthology Shinkokin wakashu. The scenes are of sunset, the cool of twilight, and an evening rain. This image displays an appreciation of ordinary aspects of daily life, capturing the moment that the couple sets out in the rain, he tucks up his robe, and she prepares to open her umbrella.Utamaro, a prolific ukiyo-e artist, was fascinated by themes of daily life as well as by beautiful women. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Otani Hiroji III as Onio Shinzaemon ( ) in the Play Bunshin Sugatami Soga ( ), Performed at the Morita Theater ( ) in the Second Month, 1765 ( ) 1760-1770 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

'Portrait of a Functionary with a Boy'. China, late 19th - early 20th century. Dimensions: 33,2x56 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

Study of a Woman Seated on a Horse, Julius Caesar Ibbetson, 1759-1817, British, undated, Brush and black ink over graphite on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper, Sheet: 5 7/8 × 3 3/8 inches (14.9 × 8.6 cm), dress, figure study, horse (animal), seated, woman

Minamoto no Yoshitsune ( 義経, 1159 - June 15, 1189) was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo (the third son of Yoshitomo) founded the Kamakura shogunate. Yoshitsune's name in childhood was Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸). He is considered one of the greatest and the most popular warriors of his era, and one of the most famous samurai fighters in the history of Japan. Isoda Koryūsai (礒田湖龍斎 1735-c.1790) was a Japanese printmaker and painter active from approximately 1764 to 1788. The details of his life are under some dispute. He apparently came from a samurai background. One theory stated he became a rōnin and was forced to turn to art, but another says he voluntarily gave up the life of a samurai for art. In 1781 he received the title Hokkyo for his talent and accom

Quarrel of Kampei and Bannai the scene of from the 3rd act of the Chushingura drama

The Second Nakamura Sukegoro as a Samurai Carrying a Suzu 1769 or 1770 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Second Nakamura Sukegoro as a Samurai Carrying a Suzu 36896

Adultery Jain (title on object) The five precepts of Buddhism (series title) Gokai (series title on object), The warrior Taira no Kiyomori (1118-81) sits on pillows, his arms on a support, behind him a sword on a stand. Kiyomori was of unremarkable descent but managed to gain great power by getting his 3-year-old grandson on the throne as emperor. With two poems., Totoya Hokkei (mentioned on object), Japan, 1830 - 1835, paper, colour woodcut, h 210 mm × w 179 mm

Demon Intoning the Name of the Buddha (Oni no nenbutsu), 1700s. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868). Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper; painting only: 59.2 x 22.1 cm (23 5/16 x 8 11/16 in.); including mounting: 126.4 x 33 cm (49 3/4 x 13 in.). Images like this one that depicts a demon in the guise of an itinerant monk intoning the name of the Buddha are called Otsu-e, or "Otsu paintings." Otsu-e were made as souvenirs for travelerspassing through the station of Otsu along the Tokaido, the route stretching from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto. Realized through a combination of woodblock printing, rapid brushstrokes, embellishment with color and gold pigments by stencil or by hand, the earliest Otsu-e, produced in the 17th century, were Buddhist and Shinto icons. Later images included figures popular from kabuki plays, as well as scenes illustrating parables.

Kunisada, Actor Nakamura Fukusuke in the play Toki ni Minna Minobu no ryaku (On Mount Nichiren Minobu i.e. Sometimes everyone's eyes dim), 1857, color woodcut, graphics

Japan, Azemono, Gobaian, Tsukimaro, Kitagawa, Shiganomine Otokichi, The Sumo Wrestler Shiganomine Otokichi, with his name at the top right and on his clothes, stands ready for the ceremony prior to the battle. With four poems, one by Gobaian Azemono, two by his housewives and one by his servant., print, prent, surimono, prints, prenten, Japan (collection), height 207 mm, width 182 mm, Japanese - 1830, print maker, prentmaker, 1819 - 1819, first quarter 19th century, paper, colour woodcut, Japanese, poet

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

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