Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the Role of Kagekiyo in the Play Enlightenment from a Series of Portraits of Danjūrō

ca. 1834

Not on view

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the Role of Kagekiyo in the Play Enlightenment from a Series of Portraits of Danjūrō
Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni II (Japanese, 1777–1835)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1834
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 7 x 6 3/4 in. (17.8 x 17.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP1750
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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