Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the Role of Kagekiyo in the Play Enlightenment from a Series of Portraits of Danjūrō

Utagawa Toyokuni II Japanese

Not on view

This surimono shows a close-up image of Ichikawa Danjūrō IV in the role of Kagekiyo, who attained salvation as a faithful follower of Buddhism, despite his villainous battles. In this swaggering performance, he wears a kimono displaying a triangular pattern of scales, symbolizing a dragon or snake.

This surimono of the fourth Danjūrō is from a series of portrait busts of Danjūrō I–VIII. This has a modified frame decorated with a seal script go (five), perhaps a part of another of Danjūrō's names, Gogawa.

Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the Role of Kagekiyo in the Play Enlightenment from a Series of Portraits of Danjūrō, Utagawa Toyokuni II (Japanese, 1777–1835), Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan

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