The Actor Ichikawa Ebijuro I as Cormorant Fisher Kujuro

Maker(s)
Artist: Toyokawa Yoshikuni (fl. ca. 1813-30)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1822
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 37.8 x 26.1 cm (14 7/8 x 10 1/4 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
The Anne van Biema Collection
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S2004.3.249
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Print
Type

Woodblock print

Keywords
actor, Anne van Biema collection, Edo period (1615 - 1868), fishing, Japan, kabuki, oban, poems, portrait, theater, ukiyo-e, yakusha-e
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

The cloth wrapped around his neck identifies this character as a fisherman, who is played by the Osaka actor Ichikawa Ebijvro I (1777-;1827). The haiku (hokku) on this image is by the poet Naito Joso (1662-1704), a disciple of Matsuo Basho (1644-94). The imagery of the poem resonates with the kabuki role, which recounts the affairs of a villainous feudal lord who must skirt about to stay out of sight:

A stray cat dashes out
from beneath the eaves-
the winter moon glistens

Translation of poem by John T. Carpenter

Published References
  • Ann Yonemura, et al. Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection. Seattle and Washington. cat. 49, pp. 150-151.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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