Sawamura Sôjûrô in formal samurai costume / Katsukawa Shun'ei

About this Item

Accession Number: 1960/1.159
Title: Sawamura Sôjûrô in formal samurai costume
Artist: Katsukawa Shun'ei
Artist Nationality: Japanese
Artist Life Dates: 1762-1819
Medium and Support: color woodblock print on paper
Object Creation Date: 1795-1800
Credit Line: Museum Purchase
Style/Group/Movement: ukiyo e
Inscription: Signed; Publisher's seal: Iwatoya (Iwatoya Kisaburo, 1790-1830)
Period: Japan, Edo Period (1615-1868)
Dimensions: 36.9 cm x 24 cm (14 1/2 in. x 9 7/16 in.)
Century: 19th century
Subject Matter: This is likely a depiction of Sawamura Sôjûrô III, due to its late 18th century date. The subdued hues of the actor's kimono reinforce his kabuki role as samurai, whose militant austerity and discpline favored muted tones in formal costume. The artist worked for Katsukawa Shunsho and was became well known for producing kibyoshi (yellow cover books, or comic novels) after the 1780s.
Primary Keywords: standing
Secondary Keywords: figures; man; people and occupations
Rights: If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Collection: University of Michigan Museum of Art
Image Size: 837 x 1279
File Size: 111 KB
Record: 1960/1.159
Link to this Item: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1960-sl-1.159/1960_1.159.jpg

In public portfolios: 0 - Highlights of the Japanese Collection (354); Samurai (79); War and Empire in Japan ASIAN 200/HIST 203 (20)

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1960-SL-1.159:1960_1.159.JPG

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Full citation: "Sawamura Sôjûrô in formal samurai costume; Katsukawa Shun'ei." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1960-sl-1.159/1960_1.159.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 03, 2024.