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Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki

ca. 1823
Not on view
Compared to his teacher, Utagawa Toyokuni, Kuniyasu portrayed actors with more angular, sharp-edged lines, particularly in the treatment of facial details.

This rare surimono triptych was produced in honor of the New Year. Three actors play the badminton-like game called hanetsuki, a traditional New Year's activity. Humorous poems by contemporary poets are inscribed throughout the three sheets.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Three Kabuki Actors Playing Hanetsuki
  • Artist: Utagawa Kuniyasu (Japanese, 1794–1834)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1823
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Triptych of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Triptych, each: 7 1/4 x 8 3/8 in. (18.4 x 21.3 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Jack Greene Gift, 2001
  • Object Number: 2001.715.4a–c
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Young Woman Leaning over a Tall Lamp, Utagawa Kuniyasu Japanese, Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper, Japan
Young Woman Leaning over a Tall Lamp
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Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) , Katsushika Hokusai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

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ca. 1830–32
Six Jewel Rivers from Various Provinces, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Six woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan
Six Jewel Rivers from Various Provinces
Utagawa Hiroshige
1857
Three Gods of Good Fortune Visit the Yoshiwara; or “Scenes of Pleasure at the Height of Spring”, Chōbunsai Eishi Japanese, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, Japan
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early 19th century
Six Jewel Rivers , Sakai Ōho Japanese, Six handscrolls; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan

Six Jewel Rivers

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