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Kabuki Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX

ca. 1759
Not on view
The actor's pen name, Kakitsu, is written to the right of his shoulder and his role and name to the left. His black and white crest is an orange-like fruit which appears also in the pattern of his robes. The first true color printing was introduced about 1741 and is called benizuri-e. Colors are usually limited to a delicate rose red (beni) and an apple green. Kiyomitsu has added a third gray color block. The pink is a fugitive color and fades to a yellowish tone, but the green is more permanent. It is rare to find a benizuri-e preserved in something near its original state.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 鳥居清満画 九代目市村羽左衛門
  • Title: Kabuki Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX
  • Artist: Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735–1785)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1759
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: 14 3/8 x 6 5/8 in. (36.5 x 16.8 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
  • Object Number: JP2590
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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The Fourth Imai Hanshiro in the Role O Hatsu in "Sakaicho Soga Nendaiki", Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
The Fourth Imai Hanshiro in the Role O Hatsu in "Sakaicho Soga Nendaiki"
Torii Kiyomitsu
2nd month, 1771
Ichimura Kamezo in the Role of Kanto Koroku, Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
Ichimura Kamezo in the Role of Kanto Koroku
Torii Kiyomitsu
ca. 1760?
Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the Role of Okazaki Akushiro, Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the Role of Okazaki Akushiro
Torii Kiyomitsu
ca. 1755
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro as a Courtesan Reading a Love Letter while Mounted on a Black Ox , Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro as a Courtesan Reading a Love Letter while Mounted on a Black Ox

Torii Kiyomitsu
ca. 1763
The Curfew at Dōjōji, Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
The Curfew at Dōjōji
Torii Kiyomitsu
ca. 1763

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