Artwork

「湯灌場子僧吉三市川竹之丞」（五代目）「近世水滸伝」|Ichimura Takenojō V as Yukanba Kozō Kichiza, from A Modern Water Margin (Kinsei suikoden)

「湯灌場子僧吉三市川竹之丞」（五代目）「近世水滸伝」|Ichimura Takenojō V as Yukanba Kozō Kichiza, from A Modern Water Margin (Kinsei suikoden) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Kunisada. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Utagawa Kunisada’s 1862 woodblock print depicts the actor Ichimura Takenojō V in the role of Yukanba Kozō Kichiza, a character from the popular series A Modern Water Margin. Executed in ink and color on paper, the image is part of the Met’s collection of Japanese prints and exemplifies the vibrant portraiture typical of late‑Edo theatre advertising.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is presented in a striking pose, his topknot hair and flamboyant costume signalling a kabuki performance. He holds a fan in one hand while gesturing with the other, embodying the dramatic energy of the role. The accompanying Japanese text identifies the actor and play, linking the visual to its theatrical context.

Technique & Style

Kunisada employs bold, flat pigments and strong line work, hallmarks of ukiyo‑e printmaking. The blue‑white checkered kimono and vivid red‑blue floral sleeves are rendered with crisp outlines, while the background features a simplified landscape and a red banner, creating a clear visual hierarchy that draws attention to the actor’s expression.

History & Provenance

Created during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate, the print reflects the commercial demand for actor portraits. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the early 20th century, joining a broader assemblage of Japanese prints that document the era’s popular culture.

Context

A Modern Water Margin was a contemporary adaptation of the classic Chinese outlaw narrative, popular on the kabuki stage. Prints like this served as promotional material, circulating among theatergoers and reinforcing the fame of actors such as Ichimura Takenojō V, whose fifth-generation lineage was a selling point for audiences.