The Actor Ichikawa Ichizō III as Nozarashi Gosuke, likened to Shi Jin the Nine Dragoned (Kyūmonryū Shishin ni hisu), from the “Pine” triptych of the series A Modern Water Margin (Tōsei suikoden) 1854

This 1854 woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) depicts the kabuki actor Ichikawa Ichizō III as Nozarashi Gosuke. The print is part of a triptych series called “A Modern Water Margin” (Tōsei suikoden) and shows the actor posed in a dramatic manner, with a large tattoo of nine dragons on his arm, referencing the character Shi Jin, who features in the classic Chinese novel Water Margin (Suikoden). The print is characteristic of Kunisada’s style, with bold lines and vibrant colors. "The Actor Ichikawa Ichizō III as Nozarashi Gosuke, likened to Shi Jin the Nine Dragoned (Kyūmonryū Shishin ni hisu)" is a fine example of the “yakusha-e” (actor prints) genre of ukiyo-e.