Memorial portrait of the actor Onoe Kikunosuke II 1897

This woodblock print, created by Toyohara Kunichika in 1897, depicts a portrait of the famed kabuki actor Onoe Kikunosuke II. Kunichika, a prolific artist of the late Edo and Meiji periods, is known for his dramatic and colorful depictions of kabuki actors. The print captures Kikunosuke II in a contemplative pose, highlighting his distinguished features and elegant attire. This work is a testament to the vibrant and enduring tradition of kabuki theater in Japan and showcases Kunichika's mastery of the woodblock printing technique, characterized by vivid colors and fine lines.