Actor in the No Play Hanagatami 1926

Tsukioka Kôgyo’s 1926 woodblock print *Actor in the No Play Hanagatami* depicts a figure in traditional Japanese attire, a kabuki actor, wearing a wide black hat and elaborate robes. The print is characterized by a bold red background and the use of gold and silver pigments. Kôgyo's use of vibrant colors and intricate detail reflects the aesthetics of the shin-hanga movement, a revival of traditional woodblock printing in Japan. This print is part of a series of works based on the Noh play Hanagatami, illustrating the beauty and drama of this ancient Japanese art form. The subject's exaggerated features, pose, and elaborate costume are typical of Japanese theatrical performance, creating a sense of stylized beauty and drama.