Who painted Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella?

Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella was painted by Torii Kiyomitsu in 1764.

Where can I see Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella?

Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella?

Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella

Torii Kiyomitsu , 1764

Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella is a print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyomitsu. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1930.194
Credit line: Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore

About this work

This painting shows a person holding an umbrella. The person is Segawa Kikunojo, a Japanese actor. He's dressed in traditional clothes and the background is simple.

The poem on the print translates to "in the spring shower shall I know his umbrella", which adds a poetic touch. You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735–1785).

Overview

The work depicts the kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo III in the role of Roko, captured mid-stride while holding a large umbrella against a spring shower.

Segawa Kikunojo (Roko) Holding an Umbrella is a 1764 woodblock print by Torii Kiyomitsu, a leading master of the Torii school of ukiyo-e. The work depicts the kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo III in the role of Roko, captured mid-stride while holding a large umbrella against a spring shower. Kiyomitsu renders the figure with the dynamic, theatrical posture characteristic of his style, emphasizing the actor's expressive presence through bold outlines and a simplified, uncluttered background that focuses attention on the performance.

The composition includes a poem inscribed at the top, which translates to "in the spring shower shall I know his umbrella," linking the visual scene to a literary sentiment of recognition and longing. Created during the height of Kiyomitsu's career, this print exemplifies his ability to merge the dramatic flair of kabuki with the poetic elegance of the ukiyo-e tradition. It stands as a significant example of mid-Edo period actor portraits, reflecting the cultural prominence of kabuki theater and the refined aesthetic sensibilities of the time.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of quiet contemplation, linking the actor’s public persona with the fleeting nature of weather. The poem’s reference to the umbrella in a spring shower suggests a subtle meditation on transience and protection, themes commonly explored in Edo‑period visual poetry.

Technique & Style

Executed in the ukiyo‑e tradition, the print employs clean lines and a restrained color palette typical of late‑18th‑century works. The composition reflects the influence of Torii Kiyomitsu, whose figures are often rendered with elegant simplicity and a focus on everyday scenes. The minimal background allows the subject and the umbrella to dominate the visual field.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the mid‑Edo period, a time when actor portraiture was popular among urban audiences. While the exact date of production is not recorded, its stylistic affinities place it within the later years of the Torii school’s activity. The piece has circulated in private collections before entering the museum’s holdings in the early 20th century.