壽陽堂歳国画 『中村芝翫 楽屋之図』|Kabuki Actor Nakamura Shikan Backstage (Nakamura Shikan rakuya no zu)
1826
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From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
1826
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
This print shows a man’s face and shoulders inside a round frame. His hair is slicked back, and he wears a blue robe with dark patterns. One hand holds a red fan, while the other rests on his chest. The background is a bold red-and-white geometric design with Japanese writing scattered across it. The man looks like a kabuki actor, a type of performer in Japanese theater. The artist used simple shapes and strong colors to make him stand out. Check out more about actor performances in traditional Japanese theater.
