The Actors Nakamura Tomijirō in the Role of Ono no Komachi and Sanogawa Ichimatsu in the Role of Her Servant

Torii Kiyohiro Japanese

Not on view

Two Kabuki actors are identified by the crests on the umbrella. The play Komachi Praying for Rain is based on the legend of Ono no Kamachi, the beautiful poetess of the ninth century. The haiku inscribed around the figures addresses the theme of a sudden shower, comparing it to the power of poetry.

The Actors Nakamura Tomijirō in the Role of Ono no Komachi and Sanogawa Ichimatsu in the Role of Her Servant, Torii Kiyohiro (Japanese, active ca. 1737–76), Woodblock print (beni-e); ink and color on paper, Japan

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.