Traditional Japanese Theatre Prints

A collection of colorful woodblock prints depicting actors in traditional Japanese clothing, embodying themes from historical plays and performances.

NAKAMURA SHIKAN II ALS MATSUOMARU, UTAGAWA KUNISADA (i), 1825-1830 print The actor Nakamura Shikan II in red striped robe, his sword pulling; A pine branch and stacked straw bales in the background. print maker: Japanpublisher: Tokyo paper nishiki-e / color woodcut portrait of actor, actress. hacking and thrusting weapons: sword

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 1767-1777 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of a multisheet print . Katsukawa Shunsho

Courtesan Likened to the Chinese Sage Zhang Guolao (Japanese Chokaro) 1710-1720 Japan. Hand-colored woodblock print; o-oban, tan-e . Okumura Masanobu

NAKAMURA SHIKAN II ALS MATSUOMARU, UTAGAWA KUNISADA (i), 1825-1830 print The actor Nakamura Shikan II in red striped robe, his sword pulling; A pine branch and stacked straw bales in the background. print maker: Japanpublisher: Tokyo paper nishiki-e / color woodcut portrait of actor, actress. hacking and thrusting weapons: sword

Actor Ichikawa Omezo. Utagawa, Kunisada I (1786-1864), graphic artist

Sugibae, from the series The Imitation Murasaki and the Rustic Genji. Date: 1830-1839. Dimensions: 38 cm x 26 cm. Museum: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. Author: UTAGAWA KUNISADA.

Oshichi Carrying a Blossoming Cherry Branch. Attributed to Okumura Toshinobu; Japanese, active c. 1717-50. Date: 1722-1735. Dimensions: 32.7 x 15.8 cm (13 x 6 1/8 in.). Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Willow Island (Yanagishima), from the series A Series of Willows (Yanagi bantsuzuki) 1823-1833 Japan. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono . Totoya Hokkei

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo I as Soga no Goro 1747-1757 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e . Torii Kiyohiro

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Ashiya Doman in the Play Kikyo-zome Onna Urakata, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Seventh Month, 1776 1771-1781 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro. Artist: Katsukawa Shunko (Japanese, 1743-1812). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 13 x 6 in. (33 x 15.2 cm). Date: ca. 1790. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Female Dancer. Artist Unknown; Japanese, 17th century. Date: 1619-1649. Dimensions: 59.5 x 29.9 cm (23 7/16 x 11 3/4), including mount and knobs: 124.1 x 45.4 (48 7/8 x 17 7/8 in.). Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on paper. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Waitress Ohisa of the Takashimaya 1787-1798 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Katsukawa Shunchô

Actor Tomizawa Tatsujūrō as Renyū, 1770, Bunchō; Publisher: Kariganeya Ihei, Japanese, fl. c.1765-1792, 9 1/2 x 6 in. (24.2 x 15.2 cm) (image)10 15/16 x 6 9/16 in. (27.8 x 16.7 cm) (sheet), From a woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper, Japan, 18th century

Woman dancing with a sword and a fan unknown

Courtesan Dancing early 19th century Totoya Hokkei Japanese. Courtesan Dancing 54460

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichimura Takenojo V. Utagawa Kuniyoshi; Japanese, 1797-1861. Date: 1851. Dimensions: 36 x 23.8 cm (14 3/16 x 9 5/16 in.). Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Bando Sampachi I as Yawata no Saburo () in the Play Shuen Soga Omugaeshi (), Performed at the Ichimura Theater () in the Second Month, 1768 (). Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1763-1773. Dimensions: 32.7 x 14.3 cm (12 7/8 x 5 5/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; probably one sheet of a five-sheet print. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Otani Hiroemon III as Osada no Zenjo Kagemune in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu (First Performance Day of the Izu Calendar), Performed at the Morita Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1772. Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 30.5 x 14.4 cm (12 x 5 11/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Letter reading woman, kitagawa utamaro, 1793 - 1797 print Woman, reading a letter; Against mica background. Japan paper. color woodcut adult woman. letter, envelope

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo (). Katsukawa Shunjo; Japanese, died 1787. Date: 1778-1789. Dimensions: 30.8 x 13.9 cm (12 1/8 x 5 1/2 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of triptych (). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Young Woman Kneeling by a Stand with a Ceremonial Cap (from the series The Six Immortal Poets in Elegant Modern Dress), mid 1790s. Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756-1829). Color woodblock print; sheet: 36.2 x 23.2 cm (14 1/4 x 9 1/8 in.).

Woodblock Print Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1798-1861). , ca. 1830. Woodblock print, 14 5/8 x 10 5/16 in. (37.1 x 26.2 cm). This print offers a glimpse into Tokyo street life in the nineteenth century. Here, a beauty self-consciously tugs at her outfit while walking briskly to the theater. The text elaborates: She is first going to the stage, where there are many beautiful ladies. So she took great care and neatly changed the way she wore her kimono.” Asian Art ca. 1830

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as the Court Servant Shoheida Sadamori in the Play Masakado Kammuri no Hatsuyuki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1772-1782. Dimensions: 32.8 x 15.3 cm (12 15/16 x 6 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; second-from-right sheet in a four-sheet print. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II, Possibly as Misao Gozen, in the Play Chiyo no Hajime Ondo no Seto (Beginnings of Eternity The Ondo Straits in the Seto Inland Sea) ( ), Performed at the Kiri Theater from the Twenty-seventh Day of the Seventh Month, 1785 1780-1790 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of triptych . Katsukawa Shunko I

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX in an Unidentified Role. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1770-1780. Dimensions: 29.4 x 14 cm (11 9/16 x 5 1/2 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Sawamura Sojuro III as Nagoya Sanza 1794-95 Tōshūsai Sharaku Japanese. Sawamura Sojuro III as Nagoya Sanza 37377

Print 19th century Utagawa Kunisada Japanese. Print 58050

Colored woodcut by Eisen (Yoshinobu) depicting an actor, showing Edo-period costume, pose, and theatrical setting.

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in an Unidentified Role. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1768-1778. Dimensions: 30.6 x 12.9 cm (12 1/16 x 5 1/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Poet Bunya no Yasuhide, from the series Six Immortal Poets (Rokkasen) 1805-1815 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Katsushika Hokusai

The Courtesan Shiratama from the Shiratama House in New Yoshiwara, First Block on Edocho Street, Escorted by her Attendants Hachiyo and Tsubaki, from the series The Five Festivals: New Year's Day. Date: 1822-1826. Dimensions: 38.6 cm x 26.1 cm. Museum: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. Author: UTAGAWA KUNISADA.

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772 1767-1777 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Courtesan with Branch of Seri. Artist: Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757-1820) (). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 4 3/16 in. (20.6 x 10.6 cm). Date: 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Anegawa Shinshiro II, from "A Picture Book of Stage Fans (Ehon butai ogi)". Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1770. Dimensions: 9 5/8 x 6 in. Color woodblock print; page from illustrated book. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

It is good to make the first things yourself, Totoya Hokkei, c. 1822 print A woman measures dust with plovers depicted on it, a scissors and lineal are lying next to her on the floor. With two poems. The prints from this series are in line with the belief that the first activities of the new year were extra special. The red cartouche on the prints refers to almanacs in which it was indicated which activities could or should not be undertaken on certain days by people born in a certain year. Japan paper color woodcut adult woman. sitting cross-legged, as tailor at work. tools, aids, implements ~ crafts and industries: scissors

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Monther, 1789 1784-1794 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych ( ) . Katsukawa Shunsho

Iwai Hanshirō IV as Shigenoi in the Play "Koinyōbō Somewake Tazuna" 1794 Tōshūsai Sharaku Japanese. Iwai Hanshirō IV as Shigenoi in the Play "Koinyōbō Somewake Tazuna" 37332

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) () in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (), Performed at the Nakamura Theater () in the First Month, 1780 (). Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1775-1785. Dimensions: 31.1 x 14.6 cm (12 1/4 x 5 3/4 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Tale of Sagoromo, from the series Ten Courtly Tales for the Honcho Circle (Honchoren monogatari juban) 1815-1825 Japan. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono . Yashima Gakutei

The Actor Sawamura Tannosuke as Komachi Oshizu. Date: second month 1867, Edo. Museum: Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet, Paris. Author: UTAGAWA YOSHITORA.

Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: Genroku-style Courtesan probably 1810s Utagawa Kuninao 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.Though this print was created in the early nineteenth century, the artist has depicted a courtesan wearing styles popular a century before. The text above is a song by Ōishi Yoshio (Kuranosuke) extolling the beauty of courtesans of the pleasure quarters.. Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: Genroku-style Courtesan 54807

The actor Actor Ichikawa Danjuro in armour

The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I, from A Picture Book of Stage Fans (Ehon butai ogi) 1770 Japan. Color woodblock print; page from illustrated book . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor, Nakamura Shichisaburo II, 1703-1774 as a Woman with Fan Torii Kiyomasu II Japanese. The Actor, Nakamura Shichisaburo II, 1703-1774 as a Woman with Fan. Torii Kiyomasu II (Japanese, 1706-1763). Japan. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Woman after a Bath ca. 1795 Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese. Woman after a Bath 45096

Vrouw Met Klok, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1832 A woman sitting on a pillow with a pipe in her hand is reading. Behind her is a table clock (daidokei) on a table. With two poems. Japan paper color woodcut

Figure of a Woman Totoya Hokkei Japanese. Figure of a Woman 54401

The Actor Hayakawa Shinkatsu as Toyohime in the play "Goshozome Koyo Gunki," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1727 (). Okumura Masanobu; Japanese, 1686-1764. Date: 1722-1732. Dimensions: 30.5 x 15.4 cm. Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, FLORENCIA, USA.

The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as Ike no Shoji in the play Mangetsu Oguri Yakata, performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eighth Month, 1747 1747 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e . Torii Kiyonobu II (Publisher)

The Ninth Month, The Dance of the Chrysanthemum Boy, Performed on a Stage, c. 1793, Katsushika Hokusai; Publisher: Tsutaya Jūzaburō, Japanese, 1760 - 1849, 8 3/8 × 5 13/16 in. (21.2 × 14.7 cm) (image, sheet, vertical chūban), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 18th century

Kametani Jujiro as the Shirabyoshi Dancer Yuya, c. early 1760s. Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735-1785). Color woodblock print; sheet: 31 x 13.9 cm (12 3/16 x 5 1/2 in.).

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II. Torii Kiyomitsu I; Japanese, 1735-1785. Date: 1766-1776. Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Prostitute Hanaōgi of the Ōgiya House, 1793-1794, Kitagawa Utamaro; Publisher: Tsutaya Jūzaburō, Japanese, 1753 - 1806, 14 1/2 × 9 5/8 in. (36.9 × 24.5 cm) (image, sheet, vertical ōban)23 × 19 × 1 1/2 in. (58.42 × 48.26 × 3.81 cm) (outer frame), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 18th century, Hanaōgi (literally, 'flower fan') may well be the most frequently depicted woman in ukiyo-e. In fact, Hanaōgi was a pseudonym used by several generations of prostitutes from the Ōgiya house, one of the most exclusive brothels in the Yoshiwara. This print represents Hanaōgi IV, the highest-ranked prostitute in the Ōgiya from 1791 through 1797. The oblong cartouche contains a poem comparing the pale beauty of Hanaōgi by moonlight to a delicate moonflower.

Courtesan Holding Adonis Flower. Chōseisai Teishi (Japan, active circa 1790-1800). 1799. Prints; woodblocks. Surimono; color woodblock print with brass and embossing

Bando Hikosaburo II as Sanada no Yoichi, early 1760s. Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735-1785). Color woodblock print; sheet: 29.6 x 13.8 cm (11 5/8 x 5 7/16 in.).

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Nakamura Utaemon IV. Utagawa School; Japanese, 19th century. Date: 1852. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Portrait of Yoshida Sayaemon Kanesada. 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. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ichikawa Danjr VII in an aragoto (bravado) pose. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada, Japanese, 1786-1865

Katahara Tori, 1802, Woodcuts

The Actor Bando Yasosuke 1801-1808 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Toyokuni I

The actor Jitsukawa Ensaburô as Oguri Hangan; Chûkô buyûden; Stories about loyalty, courage and respect.

Memorial Portrait of Osaka Actor Arashi Rikan II. Shunkōsai Hokushū (Japan, active 1808-1832). Japan, 1837. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio, Wife of Ito Sukekiyo, in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772. Ippitsusai Buncho; Japanese, active c. 1755-90. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 30.2 x 13.8 cm (11 7/8 x 5 7/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Ichikawa Danjr VII dressed for a role. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada, Japanese, 1786-1865

Ararith triany i i Am Am Am Hafaned, C. 184 print Arashi Rikan III in the role of Tôfû with fan and black head cover. Scenes from the play "Ono No Tôfû Aoyagi Suzuri", staged in the Wakadayû Theater, in the seventh month of 1848. paper color woodcut fan. actor (on the stage)

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke in the Role of the Famous Strong Woman Okane probably 1765 Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese. The Actor Onoe Matsusuke in the Role of the Famous Strong Woman Okane 54494

Lady playing card game (looking right)., 1770. Woodcuts., Page from book

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Hiranoya Tokubei () in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami (), Performed at the Nakamura Theater () in the Third Month, 1773 (). Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1768-1778. Dimensions: 29.7 x 14.2 cm (11 11/16 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych (). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Second Ishikawa Monosuke in the Role of Karigane Bunshichi 1782 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Second Ishikawa Monosuke in the Role of Karigane Bunshichi 56953

Japan, Standing woman, verso - stamped, A woman has just left the bathhouse., print, prints, Japan (collection), height 190 mm, width 125 mm, print maker, 1825 - 1825, paper, color woodcut

Paintings after Ancient Masters: A Lady, 1598-1652. Chen Hongshou (Chinese, 1598/99-1652). Album leaf, ink and color on silk; overall: 30.2 x 26.7 cm (11 7/8 x 10 1/2 in.).

Oda Nobunaga (June 23, 1534 - June 21, 1582) was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the rule of the shogun in the late 16th century, a rule that ended only with the opening of Japan to the Western world in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His work was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy shugo (military governor) with land holdings in Owari Province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuous military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. His successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a loyal Oda supporter, would eventually become the first man to conquer all of Japan and the first ruler of all Japan since the Ōnin War.

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.

Iwai Kiyotaro in a Shosa Act, Holding a Kine (Pestle). Artist: Katsukawa Shunko (Japanese, 1743-1812). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 12 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (32.4 x 14.6 cm). Date: ca. 1789. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Aktorzy Matsumoto Yonesaburo (onnagata) i Nakamura Denkuro. Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), graphic artist

Matsukaze, sheet 18 from the series: Genji Clouds together with Ukiyo-e. Donation Gerhard Schack

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Fuwa Banzaemon in the Play Keisei Nagoya Obi, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eighth Month, 1771 1766-1776 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition ( ) . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I in an Unidentified Role. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1777-1787. Dimensions: 31.7 x 14.2 cm (12 1/2 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

During the Edo period (1603 - 1868), the Japanese clock was divided into twelve units of time, or hours, with each one named after one of the zodiacal symbols of the lunar calendar, and with the day being divided up into six daytime hours and six night-time hours. This woodblock print is taken from Kitagawa Utamaro's 1794-1795 ukiyo-e series 'Twelve Hours of the Green Rooms', sometimes styled 'Twelve Hours of the Yoshiwara', featuring everyday events in the lives of courtesans in Edo's Yoshiwara pleasure district. It is the Hour of the Boar, around ten oclock in the evening. This scene takes place in a banquet room of the house. The courtesan, very dignified, holds out ceremoniously a cup of sake to a customer. In striking contrast her young assistant, leaning on the sake kettle, can no longer resist her fatigue at this late hour and falls asleep.

Komachi on the Gravepost (Sotoba Komachi), from the series Modern Girls as the Seven Komachi (Imayô musume Nana Komachi). Date/Period: Ca. 1810. Print. Woodblock print on paper. Height: 380 mm (14.96 in); Width: 260 mm (10.23 in). Author: Toyokuni.

Trimming Her Nails 1750-1760 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, benizuri-e . Torii Kiyohiro

The actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Konjin Chogoro, from the series "One Hundred Selected Actors (Haiyu hyakkasen)". Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III); Japanese, 1786-1864. Date: 1864. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; chirimen-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Large Head and Bust Portrait of the Oiran Hanaogi of Ogiya. probably 1798 Chōkōsai Eishō Japanese. Large Head and Bust Portrait of the Oiran Hanaogi of Ogiya. 36664

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II 1755-1790 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Ippitsusai Buncho

The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII. Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III); Japanese, 1786-1864. Date: 1826. Dimensions: 36.8 x 24.9 cm (14 1/2 x 9 13/16 in.). Color woodblock print; right sheet of oban diptych (left: 1937.251). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Countrywoman with a bunch of brushwood and a woman with a girl Ryuryukyo, shinsai (1764 1820)

Seated lady playing string instrument., 1770. Woodcuts., Page from book

Colored woodcut by Ippitsusai Buncho depicting actor Ebitzu portraying a samurai around 1770, showing costume and theatrical scene.

The nobleman Kuge (title on object) A series of ten people (series title) Jinbutsu jûbantsuzuki (series title on object), Kugi, a nobleman at the court in Kyoto, dressed in Heian style, walks among small pine trees. With one poem, trees: pine, Totoya Hokkei (mentioned on object), Japan, 1820 - 1829, paper, colour woodcut, h 205 mm × w 179 mm

Artist: Kitao Masanobu, Japanese, 1761-1816, Kyoka poet HonenYukimaro, Polychrome woodbock print: a book page, sheet: 7 15/16 × 5 13/16 in. (20.2 × 14.7cm), Japan, Japanese, Edo period(1615-1868), Works on Paper -Prints

The Onnagata Actor Hanagiri Toyomatsu (Shisei) III as Ohaya 1793 Ryūkōsai Jokei 光斎如圭 Japanese The actor Toyomatsu III (1743-1796) earned renown in Osaka and Kyoto as an onnagata (male actor of women’s roles). Here he is shown in a performance late in his career of the courtesan Ohaya in the play Hirai Gonpachi’s Visits to Yoshiwara). Hirai Gonpachi was a rōnin (masterless samurai) of the Tottori fief in western Japan who fled to Edo after committing a murder, and had ill-fated affairs in the Yoshiwara licensed quarters.. The Onnagata Actor Hanagiri Toyomatsu (Shisei) III as Ohaya 55245

Ono no Tofu, from the series "A Gathering of the Elders of Poetry (Shoshikai bantsuzuki)". Totoya Hokkei; Japanese, 1780-1850. Date: 1815-1825. Dimensions: 21.3 x 18.4 cm. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Chinese C18 woodcut: 'Stinking snail' sore

Sanokawa Ichimatsu I in Grayish Blue and Rose Walking Toward the Left 1756 Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese. Sanokawa Ichimatsu I in Grayish Blue and Rose Walking Toward the Left 56607

Youth Dancing with a Spear 1790-1794 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Katsukawa Shun'ei

Kibi Ehime, an example from the chronicles of Japan, Yashima Gakutei, c. 1821 The Princess Kibi (d. 729) looks from a balcony to the flowering cherry blossoms in the garden. She was the wife of Nagaya No ô (684-729), together they were forced to commit suicide in 729 with their children. With one poem. Japan paper color woodcut plants; vegetation (+ flowers, blossom, blossoming)

The Second Sawamura Sojuro in the Role of Ume no Yoshibei 2nd month, 1763 Torii Kiyoshige Japanese. The Second Sawamura Sojuro in the Role of Ume no Yoshibei. Torii Kiyoshige (Japanese, active ca. 1716-1759). Japan. 2nd month, 1763. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I Greeting the Audience on His Return from Osaka 1783-1793 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunko I

History of Kamakura: Poem-bridge of Egara Tenjin Shrine. Artist: Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757-1820) (). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 7 3/16 in. (21 x 18.3 cm). Date: 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ichikawa Danjûrô as Unno Kotarô Yukiuji (Disguised as Yamagatsu Buô) from a Kamoise at the Ichmuraza Theatre Aritake Tsukusitei (Japanese). , 1828. Woodblock print, shikishiban format (right sheet of triptych); deluxe printing with extensive metals, 8 1/4 x 7 7/16 in. (21 x 18.9 cm). This surimono print is the right sheet of a triptych. The design was based on a performance of The Barrier Gate. Kunisada has depicted Danjûrô VII in a climatic evening encounter in which two characters wield giant axes in a highly choreographed scene. Deluxe printing techniques are used in this design, including extensive use of metallic pigments. The poem printed in cursive script against the black sky is by Tsukushitei Aritake. Asian Art 1828

of 4