Untitled

Utagawa Toyokuni II

ca. 1834 · Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

This surimono shows a close-up image of Ichikawa Danjūrō IV in the role of Kagekiyo, who attained salvation as a faithful follower of Buddhism, despite his villainous battles. In this swaggering performance, he wears a kimono displaying a triangular pattern of scales, symbolizing a dragon or snake. This surimono of the fourth Danjūrō is from a series of portrait busts of Danjūrō I–VIII. This has a modified frame decorated with a seal script go (five), perhaps a part of another of Danjūrō's names, Gogawa.

Artist

Utagawa Toyokuni II

Date

ca. 1834

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929