Title : Ichikawa Omezö I as Sukeroku

Artist : Utagawa Toyokuni I

Date : 1805

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : Toyokuni's depiction of Ichikawa Omezö I as Sukeroku represents a prime example of a yakusha-e print, created to celebrate the likeness of the actor whom it depicts. Toyokuni's artistic career followed an unusual path, as he originally studied under Utagawa Toyoharu, an artist who focused primarily on landscape prints. His yakusha-e style was well known and often emulated by other artists during the late Edo period. This print depicts a very colorful Sukeroku, complete with his signature purple hachimaki (headband). It has been included by the artist to symbolize love. Sukeroku, the disguised samurai Soga Gorö, intentionally provokes the samurai he meets in the pleasure quarters to draw their swords and fight. In this way, he hopes to catch a glimpse of Tomokirimaru, the blade that belonged to his murdered father. Eventually, the hero discovers that it is in the possession of the powerful samurai Ikyü, also in disguise. The two reveal their true identities moments before a climactic duel. The artist's use of vibrant colors adds to the actor's striking pose and shows the advancement of printing technology in the late Edo period, as many different colors are used to detail the print.

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