The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Sansho Dayu (?) c. 1780

This ukiyo-e print by Torii Kiyonaga, created around 1780, depicts the famous kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in a role as Sansho Dayu. Danjuro is portrayed in elaborate costume, seated on a platform with three potted bonsai trees. The composition is dynamic, with Danjuro's pose and gaze capturing the energy of the stage. Kiyonaga, a master of the ukiyo-e style, uses bold lines and vibrant colors to capture the beauty and theatricality of kabuki. This print is a prime example of the artistic influence of Japanese theater on visual arts during the Edo period.