Untitled

Untitled

Torii Kiyomasu I

1735

ink

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a dramatic scene with bold black outlines and bright colors. A large, fierce figure in a yellow-and-black outfit stands front and center, holding a sword. Behind him, two smaller characters—one kneeling, one crouching—look nervous. The background has simple patterns, like a stage set, with a few trees and a building. The big figure’s face is painted in a style that looks like a mask, with strong, exaggerated features. This kind of bold, theatrical look was meant to grab attention fast. Look up actor next to see how this style connects to real performances.

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