Artwork

Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Kan Shojo in the Mt. Tenpai Scene, from the series Famous Kabuki Plays

Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Kan Shojo in the Mt. Tenpai Scene, from the series Famous Kabuki Plays is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kunisada. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a kabuki actor in full makeup, eyes crossed, mouth tight, holding a plum branch like a lightning bolt.

You see a kabuki actor in full makeup, eyes crossed, mouth tight, holding a plum branch like a lightning bolt.

The red and white face paint—called *kumadori*—isn’t just decoration. It shows the actor becoming a thunder god mid-scene. The frozen pose, called a *mie*, is the big moment the crowd cheers for.

If you like this, look up *japan, edo period (1615–1868)* to see more prints of actors and daily life.

Overview

This print depicts Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Kan Shojo in a dramatic scene from a Kabuki play, showcasing the actor's transformation into a vengeful thunder god.

Subject & Meaning

The actor's red-and-white kumadori makeup and mie pose convey intense emotion, highlighting a pivotal moment in the narrative where the character undergoes a sensational transformation.

Technique & Style

The print features the aragoto style, characterized by bold makeup and stylized movements influenced by Bunraku theater puppets, emphasizing the dramatic intensity of the scene.

Context

The work is part of a series of prints depicting famous Kabuki plays, reflecting the popularity of Kabuki theater during the Edo period.