Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki

Utagawa Kuniyasu Japanese

Not on view

Compared to his teacher, Utagawa Toyokuni, Kuniyasu portrayed actors with more angular, sharp-edged lines, particularly in the treatment of facial details.

This rare surimono triptych was produced in honor of the New Year. Three actors play the badminton-like game called hanetsuki, a traditional New Year's activity. Humorous poems by contemporary poets are inscribed throughout the three sheets.

Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki, Utagawa Kuniyasu (Japanese, 1794–1834), Triptych of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan

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Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki, Utagawa Kuniyasu (Japanese, 1794–1834), Triptych of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki, Utagawa Kuniyasu (Japanese, 1794–1834), Triptych of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki, Utagawa Kuniyasu (Japanese, 1794–1834), Triptych of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan
Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki, Utagawa Kuniyasu (Japanese, 1794–1834), Triptych of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan

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