‘Large head’ pictures (ōkubi-e), showing just the head and shoulders of the subject rather than the whole body, became popular after the 1780s. Ōkubi-e allowed the print designer to emphasize particular facial features, expressions or make-up of the actor depicted.
Depiction of costumes also formed an essential feature of actor prints. Motifs and patterns on costumes often emphasize the emotions of a role, or reflect in some way the content of the play. The dashing young samurai depicted here is easily identified by his kimono, which is decorated with a distinctive pattern of swallows in the rain.
Details
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Artist/maker
Utagawa Kunisada (1823 - 1880) (designer) -
Associated people
Ōtaya Takichi (active c. 1848 - 1867) (publisher) -
Object type
-
No. of items
1
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Museum location
Museum department
Eastern Art
Accession no.
EAX.4211
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Glossary of terms
kimono
Reference URL
