Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya
1794
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
About the artist
1794
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya is a 1794 by Tōshū, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a portrait of an actor playing a fish seller. He's dressed in a simple robe, holding a fish. The actor, Matsumoto Koshiro IV, was known for his "gentle style" of acting, which is interesting because it's different from what you'd expect from a revenge play. The play, "A Medley of Tales of Revenge", was performed at the Kiri Theater in 1794. The actor's role as a fish merchant who helps courtesans avenge their father's murder is a unique one. This painting is one of seven portraits created by the artist for this play. Check out the work of artist: Tōshūsai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794–95) for more like this.
Sharaku portrayed the actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV in his role as the fish merchant Gorobei in the play A Medley of Tales of Revenge , performed at the Kiri Theater in June 1794. The actor specialized in the wagoto , or "gentle style," of acting. In the play, the fish merchant, whose business is located near the Yoshiwara, helps two courtesan sisters avenge their father’s murder. Sharaku created portraits for seven actors appearing in this play. During his ten-month career, Sharaku created about 150 designs for prints, including 28 bust portraits. Many of the portraits were printed with a gray…
Read the full account in the museum source.
