菖蒲の葉を持つ「野郎」図大津絵|Ōtsu-e of a Youth Holding Irises (Yarō)

Unknown

17th century · Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Irises are associated with youthful male beauty, and young men portrayed with irises is one of a number of ukiyo-e themes adapted by Ōtsu-e painters for their own compositions. Young Kabuki actors were called yarō during the early seventeenth century. This handsome youth holds a spray of irises in one hand and a sword in the other. He also wears a stylish robe emblazoned with calligraphy.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975