Sawamura Sōjūrō II and Ōtani Hiroji III by Katsukawa Shunsho

Sawamura Sōjūrō II and Ōtani Hiroji III 1768

print, ink, color-on-paper

imaginative character sketch

quirky illustration

childish illustration

cartoon like

cartoon based

print

junji ito style

japan

cartoon sketch

ink

color-on-paper

ink drawing experimentation

cartoon style

cartoon carciture

This 1768 woodblock print, "Sawamura Sōjūrō II and Ōtani Hiroji III," by Katsukawa Shunsho, depicts a dynamic scene from the Kabuki theater. The print features two prominent actors, Sawamura Sōjūrō II and Ōtani Hiroji III, in a dramatic confrontation. The use of bold lines and vibrant colors, characteristic of Shunsho's style, brings the energy and intensity of the stage to life. This is a rare example of a *hosoban*, a type of Japanese print designed to showcase famous Kabuki actors, known for its elongated format and dynamic compositions.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This print depicts a scene from a Kabuki play performed in 1768. The plot is based on a folktale about an old woman who lived in an isolated house. She kindly offers lost travelers a place to rest, but murders them in the night. Sawamura Sōjñrō II is shown playing the role of the evil old woman, who grabs the topknot of a warrior, played by Ōtani Hiroji III. With his sword unsheathed, the warrior tries to defend himself from her unexpected attack. Sōjñrō II, who was tall and graceful, did not typically play old women. Nonetheless, as described here by Shunshō with contorted arms and disheveled hair, he played the role to terrifying effect.