Portrait of Sanjō Kantarō in the Female Role of Yaoya Oshichi in the Play "Fuji no Takane" ("The High Peak of Mount Fuji")

Attributed to Torii Kiyomasu II Japanese

ca. 1730–40

Not on view

This print portrays Sanjō Kantarō, an actor who specialized in female impersonation. By isolating the actor and the mirror in the undefined space, Kiyomasu created an iconic image.The backward-facing mirror, withholding the actor's reflection, encourages the viewer to imagine what Kantarō sees. The barren surroundings and the simple and direct formal technique, revealed in the strong draftsmanship, serve as a metaphor for the actor's preoccupation with his own image.

Artwork Details

Title: Portrait of Sanjō Kantarō in the Female Role of Yaoya Oshichi in the Play "Fuji no Takane" ("The High Peak of Mount Fuji")
Artist: Attributed to Torii Kiyomasu II (Japanese, 1706–1763)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1730–40
Culture: Japan
Medium: Tan-e (hand-colored print); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: H. 11 3/8 in. (28.9 cm); W. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Henry L. Phillips Collection, Bequest of Henry L. Phillips, 1939
Object Number: JP2758
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Torii Kiyomasu II

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Sanjō Kantarō as a Woman Arranging Her Hair Before a Lacquer Mirror, Torii Kiyomasu II Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Sanjō Kantarō as a Woman Arranging Her Hair Before a Lacquer Mirror
Attributed to Torii Kiyomasu II
before 1763

Night Rain at Karasaki, Torii Kiyomasu II Japanese, Woodblock print; (beni-e); black, red and green on paper, Japan — Night Rain at Karasaki
Torii Kiyomasu II
early 18th century

Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese — Helmet (*Zukinnari Kabuto*)
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16th century

Nocturne: Palaces, James McNeill Whistler American, Etching and drypoint; printed in dark brown ink on drum mounted medium weight ivory laid paper. — Nocturne: Palaces
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The Actor, Nakamura Shichisaburo II, 1703–1774 as a Woman with Fan, Torii Kiyomasu II Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — The Actor, Nakamura Shichisaburo II, 1703–1774 as a Woman with Fan
Torii Kiyomasu II

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