Artwork

娘道成寺図の錦絵|Print of a Kabuki Dancer from the Maiden of the Dōjōji Temple (Musume Dōjōji)

娘道成寺図の錦絵|Print of a Kabuki Dancer from the Maiden of the Dōjōji Temple (Musume Dōjōji) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Toyokuni I. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created around 1814 by Utagawa Toyokuni I, depicts a dynamic portrait of a kabuki dancer from the play 'Musume Dōjōji' (The Maiden of the Dōjōji Temple). Now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, it showcases the artist's use of surimono, a type of woodblock print characterized by ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a moment of dramatic movement, featuring a woman in vibrant, flowing robes (dominated by red, green, and gold) leaping with a fan and a long leafy branch. Her elaborately styled hair, adorned with a decorative comb, complements the energetic pose. Surrounding Japanese poetry adds depth, suggesting the print may commemorate a specific performance or occasion.

Technique & Style

Utagawa Toyokuni I employs surimono techniques to emphasize the dancer's movement against a largely empty background, drawing focus to her dynamic form. The bold color palette and intricate details, such as the leafy branch and hair comb, reflect the stylistic flourishes common in early 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1814, this print is attributed to Utagawa Toyokuni I. Its current residence is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though the full provenance history prior to its acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

Such surimono prints were typically produced for special events or to celebrate notable performances, indicating this piece may have been created to honor a kabuki production of 'The Maiden of the Dōjōji Temple'.