見立三国志 牛若の源治|Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Ushiwaka no Genji in the Kabuki play A Parody of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Mitate Sangokushi-Ushiwaka no Genji)
4
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
About the artist
4
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
見立三国志 牛若の源治|Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Ushiwaka no Genji in the Kabuki play A Parody of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Mitate Sangokushi-Ushiwaka no Genji) is a 4 ink by Toyohara Kunichika, a Impressionism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A man in a bold kabuki costume stands out against a dark background. His face is painted white with black lines, and he wears a tall black hat with long, dramatic curls. Bright colors—reds, greens, and golds—fill his robes and the scene around him, including flowers and a fan. The print looks busy, with text and small details scattered across the edges. This is a print of a kabuki actor playing a character from a famous story. The bright colors and dramatic makeup were meant to grab attention in theaters. Look up actor to see how kabuki performances bring stories to life.
