Title : Sanogawa Ichimatsu as Hisamatsu

Artist : Nishimura Shigenaga

Date : c. 1745

Details : More information...

Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
Browse all 5471 prints...

Description : A Kabuki actor, Sanogawa Ichimatsu is shown concealing a letter addressed "Somoji" (To You). He is identified by the crest on his sleeve. Since he often wore checker-board patterned kimono, this style began to be called “Ichimatsu design” and even influenced women’s fashion. The nearby print by Ishikawa Toyonobu depicts a woman wearing an Ichimatsu design kimono and holding a fan with Ichimatsu’s crest. Kabuki actor prints like this visually spurred the spread of actor-inspired fashion among Edo townspeople. (from "VOGUE in Japan: Edo Fashion through Japanese prints" exhibition 07/30/08-)

Download Image