Untitled

Utagawa Toyokuni I

1774 · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Ichikawa Yaozo III (1747–1818), a student of Danjūrō V, is shown in the role of Fuwa Banzaemon, who is a rival with Nagoya Sanza for the love of the same women. Yaozo wears a "thunder" robe, a striking pattern of lightning and clouds, embellished with the crest of the three nested squares. His straw hat rests on the ground behind him. Toyokuni added delicate touches of color to this bold print, such as light blue for details of Banzaemon's eyes and beard and light pink on the folds of the fan.

Artist

Utagawa Toyokuni I

Date

1774

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936