「岩井半四郎図」|The Actor Iwai Hanshiro as a Courtesan Reading a Love Letter while Mounted on a Black Ox

Kiyomitsu employed the traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock process, carving separate blocks for line work and each colour. The composition balances delicate floral patterns on the kimono with the stark silhouette of the ox, while vertical Japanese characters frame the left side, adding textual context to the visual narrative.

The print entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection as part of its Japanese prints holdings, where it is catalogued under the title “The Actor Iwai Hanshiro as a Courtesan Reading a Love Letter while Mounted on a Black Ox.” Its provenance traces back to the mid‑18th century market for actor prints, a popular genre among urban audiences of the time.

During the mid‑Edo period, the Torii school specialized in promotional images for kabuki theatres. This work reflects that commercial function, portraying a well‑known performer in an elaborate costume that would have been recognizable to contemporary theatergoers.

The print exemplifies the intersection of portraiture, narrative illustration, and commercial art that defined ukiyo‑e. It continues to serve as a visual record of kabuki culture and the artistic conventions of the Torii workshop, informing both scholarly study and public appreciation of Japanese printmaking.