歌川国貞画　七代目市川団十郎の荒獅子男之助|Ichikawa Danjūrō VII as Arajishi Otokonosuke

Utagawa Kunisada

1829 · Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper; shikishiban · Asian Art

This image captures the moment of a Kabuki play just before the heroic samurai Arajishi Otokonosuke is about to strike with an iron fan his villainous adversary Nikki Danjō, who has magically transformed himself into a rat. The celebrated actor Ichikawa Danjūrō (1791–1859) is shown in his late thirties, at the peak of his fame, with his long, sharp nose even more distinct than in the previous decade.

Artist

Utagawa Kunisada

Date

1829

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper; shikishiban

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Dorothy Tapper Goldman, 2013