Artwork

市川鰕蔵（五代目市川団十郎）の佐々木岸柳|The Actor Ichikawa Ebizō (Danjūrō V) as the Elderly Samurai Sasaki Ganryū (?)

市川鰕蔵（五代目市川団十郎）の佐々木岸柳|The Actor Ichikawa Ebizō (Danjūrō V) as the Elderly Samurai Sasaki Ganryū (?) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1792 by the ukiyo‑e artist Katsukawa Shun’ei, this multicolored woodblock print depicts the celebrated Edo‑period actor Ichikawa Ebizō V in the role of an aged samurai, identified as Sasaki Ganryū. Executed in the nishiki-e technique, the image is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the theatrical portraiture popular in late‑18th‑century Japan.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is presented as an elderly warrior, his robe a vivid scarlet adorned with gold motifs, a purple sash cinched at the waist, and a sword sheathed at his side. His face is painted with the characteristic kabuki makeup of bold red and white, signalling a heroic or tragic character within a stage performance, likely drawn from a well‑known play.

Technique & Style

Shun’ei employed the nishiki-e method, carving separate blocks for each hue to achieve a bright, saturated palette. The composition relies on strong outlines and flat areas of color, allowing the figure to dominate the scene. Background elements—tall grasses and a simple fence—are rendered with minimal detail, directing attention to the actor’s costume and expressive visage.

History & Provenance

The print entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings as part of its extensive ukiyo‑e collection, acquired through a mid‑20th‑century donation of Japanese prints. Its attribution to Shun’ei and dating to the early 1790s are supported by stylistic analysis and publisher marks typical of the period.

Context

During the Kansei era, kabuki actors were frequently commemorated in portrait prints, serving both as promotional material and as collectibles for fans. Ichikawa Ebizō V, a leading figure of the Ichikawa lineage, was renowned for his dynamic portrayals of samurai roles, making this depiction a testament to his theatrical reputation and the popularity of warrior archetypes in contemporary drama.