Artwork

二代目嵐龍藏・三代目瀬川菊之丞|Kabuki Actors Arashi Ryūzō II and Segawa Kikunojō III

二代目嵐龍藏・三代目瀬川菊之丞|Kabuki Actors Arashi Ryūzō II and Segawa Kikunojō III is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunkō. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Katsukawa Shunkō’s woodblock print, dated around 1790, portrays two celebrated Kabuki performers—Arashi Ryūzō II and Segawa Kikunojō III. Executed in ink and color on paper, the image is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the ukiyo‑e tradition of theatrical portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The left figure, standing, dons a kimono patterned with stylized blossoms and holds a flowering branch, suggesting a moment of poised elegance. The seated figure on the right wears a green kimono with a subtle white motif, his expression solemn, reflecting the dramatic gravitas associated with his stage role.

Technique & Style

Shunkō employs the multicolored woodblock technique characteristic of late‑eighteenth‑century ukiyo‑e, layering ink washes and pigments to render delicate fabrics and a muted, beige landscape background. Fine line work defines the actors’ features, while the soft shading conveys a tranquil atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created during the peak of Kabuki’s popularity, the print circulated as a popular souvenir for theatergoers. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it remains on view as a representative example of Katsukawa school portraiture.

Context

The work belongs to a broader series of actor prints that documented contemporary performers for a growing urban audience. Such images served both as promotional material for the theater and as collectible art that reflected the vibrant popular culture of Edo‑period Japan.