1827
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
戯画堂芦幸画 二代目嵐橘三郎 「ひらかな盛衰記」|Kabuki Actor Arashi Kitsusaburō II as Kajiwara Heiji, in the play Hiragana seisuiki (Records of the Battles between the Minamoto and Taira Clans in the Japanese Syllabary) is a 1827 ink by Gigadō Ashiyuki, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This print shows a man in a black-and-purple kabuki outfit, holding a sword. His face is painted in bold colors—white skin, black eyebrows, and a red mouth—with a serious expression. The background has a simple border, and around it are pink flowers and green leaves. Notice the small red sign on the right with Japanese writing—it’s naming the actor. The artist used sharp lines and flat colors to make the figure stand out. Look up actor next to see how kabuki performers used makeup and costumes to play different roles.
Gigadō Ashiyuki was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints in Osaka, who was active from about 1813 to 1833.
See the richer artist page
