“Act II, Scene 5: At the Opera in Paris,” from the series The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki

1879

Not on view

In the late nineteenth century, Japan was awash with recently imported foreign ideas and images that were often understood in a culturally insensitive manner, reflecting racist attitudes in America and Europe of the time, such as the performer shown here in blackface. The play, by the celebrated playwright Kawatake Mokuami (1816–1893), follows the peripatetic journey of a touring troupe of European and American actors.

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安達吟光画　第二番目五幕目　漂流奇譚西洋劇　巴里府演劇の場
Title: “Act II, Scene 5: At the Opera in Paris,” from the series The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki
Artist: Adachi Ginkō (Japanese, 1853–1902)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: 1879
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban
Dimensions: image: 14 1/4 × 9 1/2 in. (36.2 × 24.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Bequest of William S. Lieberman, 2005
Object Number: 2007.49.324
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Ladies Sewing (Kijo saihō no zu), Adachi Ginkō Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Ladies Sewing (Kijo saihō no zu)
Adachi Ginkō
September 3rd, 1887

“Act II, Scene 2: Along Train Tracks in America,” from the series The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki, Adachi Ginkō Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban, Japan — “Act II, Scene 2: Along Train Tracks in America,” from the series The Strange Tale of the Castaways: A Western Kabuki
Adachi Ginkō
1879

Illustration of the Issuing of the State Constitution in the State Chamber of the New Imperial Palace, Adachi Ginkō Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Illustration of the Issuing of the State Constitution in the State Chamber of the New Imperial Palace
Adachi Ginkō
March 14, 1889

View of the Issuance of the State Constitution in the State Chamber of the New Imperial Palace, Adachi Ginkō Japanese, One sheet of a triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — View of the Issuance of the State Constitution in the State Chamber of the New Imperial Palace
Adachi Ginkō
March 2, 1889 (Meiji 22)

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