Untitled

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章

ca. 1780 · Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Based on the legend of Sugawara Michizane, Sugawara's Secrets of Calligraphy (Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami) became one of the most popular Kabuki plays. In it, Kan Shōjō (Sugawara Michizane; 845–903), a distinguished statesman, poet, and scholar, was deified as the god Tenjin to appease his spirit's righteous vengeance after his death in exile. The storm in this print is the dramatic personification of Michizane's wrathful spirit. The actor Nakamura Nakazō is depicted in a vengeful pose, brandishing a plum branch (the plum was closely associated with Michizane).

Artist

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章

Date

ca. 1780

Medium

Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1929