Artworks · Katsukawa Shunshō

The Actor Otani Hiroji III as the Monk Izayoibo in the Play Keisei Katabira ga Tsuji, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of triptych

31 × 15 cm (12 3/16 × 5 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Ono Sadakuro in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Sixth Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.1 × 14.4 cm (12 5/8 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as a Loyal Ronin

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

31.4 × 14.6 cm (12 3/8 × 5 3/4 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as the Ghost of the Renegade Monk Seigen in the Play Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Second Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; center sheet of triptych

31.2 × 13.6 cm (12 5/16 × 5 3/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Oboshi Yuranosuke in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.1 × 14.8 cm (12 5/8 × 5 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Nagao Terutora in the Play Kuruma-gakari Tekuda no Gumbai, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.5 × 14.8 cm (12 13/16 × 5 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Actor Ôtani Hiroji III in His Dressing Room, Assisted by (possibly) Ôtani Tokuji I and Observed by (possibly) Nakamura Nakazô I

1778 · Color woodblock print; ôban

38.9 × 25.8 cm (15 3/8 × 10 1/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in His Dressing Room

1778 · Color woodblock print; oban

38.5 × 26.2 cm (15 1/4 × 10 5/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Buddhist Monk in the Play Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of triptych (?)

32 × 14.2 cm (12 5/8 × 5 9/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Otani Hiroji III as Maruya Gorohachi in the Play Kotobuki Banzei Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1783

1778 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; center sheet of triptych

30.7 × 13.3 cm (12 1/16 × 5 1/4 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Sumo Wrestlers of the Eastern Group: (right) Nijigadake Somaemon of Sekiwake Rank from Awa Province, and (left) Fudenoumi Kin'emon of Maegashira Rank from Kokura

1777 · Color woodblock print; oban

38.2 × 26 cm (15 1/16 × 10 1/4 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Man Falling Backward, Startled by a Woman's Ghost over a River

1777 · Color woodblock print; hosoban diptych

Right: 31.5 × 14.2 cm (12 3/8 × 5 9/16 in.); Left: 31.7 × 14.2 cm (12 1/2 × 5 9/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Ichikawa Danzo IV as Arakawa Taro Takesada Disguised as the Palanquin Bearer Tarobei (right), and Ichikawa Danjuro V as Abe no Sadato Disguised as the Pilgrim Kuriyagawa Jirodayu (left), in the Play Godai Genji Mitsugi no Furisode, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1782

1777 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from an unidentified theatrical picture-book

17.8 × 27.5 cm (7 × 10 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro V as Miura Kunitae (right), Segawa Kikunojo III as Yasukata (center), and Iwai Hanshiro IV as Utou (left), in the Play Godai Genji Mitsugi no Furisode, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1782

1777 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from an unidentified theatrical picture-book

17.4 × 27.2 cm (6 7/8 × 10 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Actors Segawa Kikunojô III as Yasukata and Iwai Hanshirô IV as Utôin Performing a Hobbyhorse Dance (Harugoma odori) in “The Fifth Genji Mitsugi’s Robe (“Godai Genji Mitsugi no Furisode”)

1777 · Color woodblock prints; hosoban diptych

Each sheet: 31.9 × 14.5 cm (12 9/16 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Hanakawado no Sukeroku in the Play Nanakusa Yosooi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1782

1777 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych (?)

30.5 × 13.2 cm (12 × 5 3/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I in an Unidentified Role

1777 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

31 × 14.8 cm (12 3/16 × 5 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Musashibô Benkei Brings the Captured Tosabô Shôshun to Yoshitsune

1777 · Color woodblock print; ôban

37.1 × 25.4 cm (14 5/8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I in an Unidentified Role

1777 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

31.7 × 14.2 cm (12 1/2 × 5 9/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Soga no Goro Tokimune Disguised as Agemaki no Sukeroku in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Edo-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1782

1777 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a pentaptych (?)

32.2 × 14.8 cm (12 11/16 × 5 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Hige no Ikyu in the Play Nanakusa Yosooi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1782

1777 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; center sheet of pentaptych

31.6 × 15.1 cm (12 7/16 × 5 15/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Kobayashi no Asahina Saburo in the Play Kuruwagayoi Komachi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Second Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

33.4 × 14.9 cm (13 1/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Mitsuogiya Usukumo in the Play Shida Choja-bashira, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eighth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych

30.3 × 14.5 cm (11 15/16 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as the Lady-in-Waiting Suho Disguised as Tsunokuniya Tsuna, in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

31.5 × 15 cm (12 3/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Segawa Kikunojo III (right) as Ochiyo, and Bando Mitsugoro I (left) as the Greengrocer Hambei, in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych

31.6 × 14.5 cm (12 7/16 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Segawa Kikunojo III as the Spirit of Joro-gumo (Harlot Spider) Disguised as the Maiko Tsumagiku (right), and Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Urabe no Suetake (left), in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; diptych

30.9 × 14.1 cm (12 3/16 × 5 9/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo I as the Geisha Yukino (or Oyuki?) in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.3 × 14.8 cm (12 11/16 × 5 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as the Spirit of Joro-gumo (Harlot Spider) Disguised as the Maiko Tsumagiku (?), in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1781 (?)

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.3 × 15.3 cm (12 11/16 × 6 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Sakata Hyogonosuke Kintoki, in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata (Raiko's Four Intrepid Retainers in the Costume of the Night Watch), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32 × 14.9 cm (12 5/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Segawa Kikunojo III as the Lovers Seijuro (right) and Onatsu (left), in the Elopement Scene "Michiyuki Hiyoku no Kiku-cho" (An Elopemet: Chrysanthemum-and-Butterfly Lovebirds), a Dance Interlude from Part Two of the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga (Flower of Kabuki: The Eternal Soga), Performed at the Ichimura Theater from the Twenty-fifth Day of the Fourth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; aiban

32.5 × 28 cm (12 13/16 × 11 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Matsumoto Koshiro IV and Segawa Kikunojo III as the Lovers Choemon (right) and Ohan (left), in the Elopement Scene "Michiyuki Segawa no Adanami" (An Elopement: Treacherous Waves in the Shallow River), a Dance Interlude from Part Two of the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga (Flower of Kabuki: The Eternal Soga), Performed at the Ichimura Theater from the Twenty-fifth Day of the Fourth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; aiban

32.5 × 21.6 cm (12 13/16 × 8 1/2 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as the Hairdresser Jirokichi in the Play Shida Choja-bashira, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eighth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych

29.9 × 13.7 cm (11 3/4 × 5 3/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

31.9 × 14.5 cm (12 9/16 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych

31.6 × 14.5 cm (12 7/16 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as the Pilgrim Kakuzan in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.1 × 14.4 cm (12 5/8 × 5 11/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV Doing a Quick Change Between the Roles of Sadakuro and Yoichibei, in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.3 × 14.8 cm (12 11/16 × 5 13/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Hakamadare Yasusuke or Watanabe no Tsuna (?) in the Play Shintenno Tonoi no Kisewata (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1781 (?)

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych

32.7 × 14.9 cm (12 7/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Prince Koretaka Disguised as the Courier Izutsu Chuji, in the Play Yamato Kano Ariwara Keizu, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

30.8 × 13.9 cm (12 1/8 × 5 1/2 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Yanone Goro in the Play Kuruwa-gayoi Komachi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Fifth Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.1 × 14.9 cm (12 5/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Watanabe no Tsuna in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban; right sheet of diptych

31.4 × 12.5 cm (12 3/8 × 4 15/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as the Yakko Matahei in the Play Mukashi Otoko Yuki no Hinagata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

30.8 × 13.8 cm (12 1/8 × 5 7/16 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actor Bando Mitsugoro I as the Shinto Priest Goinosuke Disguised as the Spirit of a White Heron, in the Play Sakikaese Yuki no Miyoshino, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; hosoban

32.6 × 14.5 cm (12 13/16 × 5 3/4 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahei (right), and Iwai Hanshiro IV as Umegae Disguised as the Poem-Diviner Omatsu (left), in the Play Mukashi Otoko Yuki no Hinagata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781

1776 · Color woodblock print; aiban

33.2 × 21.6 cm (13 1/8 × 8 1/2 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Four courtesans of various houses, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 3

1776 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration cut from a book

22.6 × 30.2 cm (8 7/8 × 11 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Courtesans of the Okaneya, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 2

1776 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration cut from a book

22.6 × 30.2 cm (8 7/8 × 11 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Courtesans of the Komatsuya, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 2

1776 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration cut from a book

22.6 × 30.2 cm (8 7/8 × 11 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Four courtesans of various houses, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 3

1776 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration cut from a book

22.6 × 30.2 cm (8 7/8 × 11 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Five Courtesans of Various Houses, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 3

1776 · Color woodblock print; double-page illustration cut from a book

22.6 × 30.2 cm (8 7/8 × 11 7/8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago