c. 1768
Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川 春章 Japanese, 1726-1792
Japan
The actor Ichikawa Danzō II is shown striking a pose, or mie, while playing the role of the formidable Shōki the Demon Queller during a performance at the Morita Theater in Edo (now Tokyo) in 1768. It looks as if he is shown mid-movement, with his sleeves and hair flying up in the air. Danzō’s actor-crest of three nested boxes appears on the front of his robe. Before it faded to a tan color, the background of this print was blue.
Color woodblock print; hosoban