Oriental Masterprint – 19, from the series Oriental Masterprints
Roger Shimomura American
Not on view
The visage of a Kabuki actor in red- and blue-striped kumadori makeup is seen between a pair of partly opened lattice doors. The silhouette of the rest of his bulky costume and courtier’s cap suggest his fierce presence. Although we do not know exactly which earlier ukiyo-e print the artist was inspired by, the distinctive features and hat indicate that the actor is Utaemon Nakamura III (1778–1838) in the role of Katō Masakiyo, a character based on the famous historical warrior Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611).
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