Akasaka Possibly 1855

print, ink, color-on-paper

quirky illustration

childish illustration

cartoon like

cartoon based

print

japan

cartoon sketch

ink

color-on-paper

illustrative and welcoming imagery

watercolour illustration

cartoon style

cartoon carciture

cartoon theme

This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada, titled "Akasaka," depicts a scene of two figures, likely actors, enjoying a nighttime gathering in the Akasaka district of Edo, Japan. The print, created around 1855, uses vibrant colors and detailed brushwork to capture the moment, showcasing Kunisada's mastery of the ukiyo-e style. The background features a picturesque landscape of pine trees and a full moon, further emphasizing the festive atmosphere of the night. This print is a prime example of the genre of kabuki actors depicted in everyday settings, a popular theme in Japanese art.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Originally performed in China, manzai entertainment in Japan consisted of lively and often comical blessings sung to the accompaniment of the kotsuzumi, or small drum held on the shoulder. Traveling door to door at New Year, manzai dancers were welcomed at house and palace alike, where their exaggerated gestures, lighthearted puns, and felicitous exclamations of "Manzai! Manzai!" (long life, long life) were a source of great amusement. Here, the connection between Hiroshige's view of Akasaka and Kunisada's depiction of two manzai dancers is linked through the symbolism of the pine tree. Since pine trees live to great age, they became emblematic of longevity. Thus, one of the manzai dancers holds a fan decorated with pine trees. Playing off this idea, Hiroshige pictured Akasaka, renowned for its ancient pines.