Artwork

Onoe Matsusuke I as Ebisu, from The Stand-In Seven Gods of Good Fortune

Onoe Matsusuke I as Ebisu, from The Stand-In Seven Gods of Good Fortune is a print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a Kabuki actor, Onoe Matsusuke I, dressed as Ebisu, standing beneath curtains at the entrance to a business.

The actor's inner robe has wave imagery, which is a nod to Ebisu being the god of fishermen. This print is part of a set where famous actors stand in for the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

To learn more about this style of art, check out the subject: japan, edo period (1615–1868).

Overview

This woodblock print depicts Onoe Matsusuke I, a renowned Kabuki actor, impersonating Ebisu, the god of fishermen, as part of a series substituting famous actors for the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

Subject & Meaning

Ebisu, here embodied by Onoe Matsusuke I, is identifiable by wave patterns on the actor's inner robe, symbolizing his domain over fishermen. The print represents a blend of theatrical and religious themes, conveying hope for prosperity in the new year, potentially created for the 1780 New Year celebration.

Technique & Style

Characteristic of Edo Period (1615-1868) Japanese woodblock printing, this piece features meticulous design, with attention to detail in the actor's attire and the ceremonial curtains above, labeled 'House of Ebisu'.

History & Provenance

Produced around the New Year of 1780, this print is one of a set where celebrated Kabuki actors personify the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, a unique intersection of popular entertainment and traditional Japanese mythology.

Context

During the Edo Period, such prints catered to a growing urban population's interest in both Kabuki theatre and traditional New Year's (Oshogatsu) customs, symbolizing the wish for good fortune.

Legacy

This print exemplifies the Edo Period's cultural synthesis, influencing later Japanese art forms by blending religious and theatrical elements, while also reflecting the era's vibrant popular culture.