1816
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Actor Ichikawa Ebijūrō I as Tōken (China Dog) Jūbei, in the play Red and Purple, Rich Dyes of Osaka (Benimurasaki ai de someage) is a 1816 by Shunkōsai Hokushū, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This print shows a man in a bold, stylized costume. His face is painted with strong lines—big eyes, a red cheek, and a stern mouth. The wig is black with thick, striped hair bands. His robe mixes black, white, and red, with patterns that look like armor or scales. One sleeve is bright red, and the background is mostly empty except for some Japanese text. The actor’s face follows a dramatic style, likely for theater. The costume suggests a warrior or ghostly figure, common in Japanese plays. The red dye in the sleeve might hint at wealth or power in the story. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more prints like this.
Shunkōsai Hokushū spent his life in Osaka, where the city’s lively theater scene shaped his work.
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