Untitled

Ichikawa Danjūrō VII

Date unknown · Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Ichikawa Danjūrō VII portrayed himself in a "Shibaraku!" performance. "Shibaraku!" was customarily performed as part of the annual November "showing-faces" (kaomise) production to introduce a company of actors to the public. The bombastic shout of "Shibaraku!" was believed to ward off evil. Three poems are inscribed above the picture, including Danjūrō's poem at the center. Dominating the picture is the famous family crest of three nested squares (mimasu), seen both on the sleeves of the character's kimono and as the print's frame.

Artist

Ichikawa Danjūrō VII

Date

Date unknown

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1922