Title : Agemaki no Sukeroku: Ichikawa Danjürö II as Sukeroku and Nakamura Takesaburö I as Agemaki

Artist : Torii Kiyomasu I

Date : 1716

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : Before the introduction of nishiki-e (full color prints) in the middle of the 18th century, ukiyo-e artists toiled to create detailed prints that captured the colorful spectacle of Kabuki using only black and white. The Torii School, famous for its depictions of Kabuki actors, worked on playbills for Kabuki performances as well as prints capturing dramatic scenes or famous actors. Though Kiyomasu I may have been the son of Torii Kiyonobu I, the founder of the Torii School, his genealogy remains a point of contention in scholarly circles. He was quite prolific, but left many works unsigned. This print, created about three years after the first Edo performance of Sukeroku in 1713, showcases Ichikawa Danjürö II as Sukeroku. The role was written expressly for Danjürö II, who was one of the most popular Kabuki actors at the time. Nakamura Takesaburö I is also shown here as the courtesan Agemaki, Sukeroku's love interest. The third figure is most likely one of her many attendants, left unnamed by the artist. Both Danjürö II and Takesaburö I were undoubtedly favorite subjects of Kiyomasu I, as they are featured in a plethora of different prints inspired by various plays throughout the artist's career. Though the print may be lacking in color, the wealth of detail shown makes all three characters stand out prominently, just as the actors would on a Kabuki stage.

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