Kabuki Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX
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
- 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
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.