Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikugoro IV 1860

This anonymous woodblock print from 1860 depicts Onoe Kikugoro IV, a famous kabuki actor, in a contemplative pose. He is seated, dressed in elaborate traditional Japanese clothing, and holding a string of prayer beads. The print's simple composition and use of color convey a sense of solemnity and respect, typical of memorial portraits of prominent figures in Edo period Japan. The image serves as a tribute to Kikugoro's legacy in the world of kabuki, and is a fascinating example of how art was used to commemorate important individuals in Japanese culture.