Artwork

Nakamura Tomijuro and Nakamura Shichisaburo II as the Lovers Agemaki and Sukeroku

Nakamura Tomijuro and Nakamura Shichisaburo II as the Lovers Agemaki and Sukeroku is a print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonobu II. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1753 ukiyo-e print by Torii Kiyonobu II portrays two kabuki actors, Nakamura Tomijuro and Nakamura Shichisaburo II, in the roles of lovers Agemaki and Sukeroku, capturing a pivotal dramatic moment.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a romantic or dramatic interaction between the two lovers, with one figure shielding both under a fan parasol while the other plays a hand drum, set against a serene natural backdrop of a river and fence.

Technique & Style

Executed in the narrow hosoban format, the print features bright, patterned robes, simple yet expressive facial expressions, and wavy lines in the background to suggest water and grass, characteristic of Torii Kiyonobu II's style.

History & Provenance

Created by Torii Kiyonobu II, a prominent figure in the Torii school active from the 1720s to 1760, this work is one of hundreds of actor prints he produced for various publishers.

Context

Part of the ukiyo-e tradition, this print reflects the popularity of kabuki theater in 18th-century Japan, with the parasol and costumes specifically alluding to traditional Japanese theatrical elements.