The Actor Nakayama Kojuro VI as Ono Sadakuro, in Act Five of Kanadehon Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the Eleventh Day of the Fifth Month, 1786 c. 1786

This ukiyo-e print by Katsukawa Shun'ei depicts the renowned actor Nakayama Kojuro VI as Ono Sadakuro, a character from the popular kabuki play Kanadehon Chushingura (Treasury of the Forty-seven Loyal Retainers). The print, created in 1786, captures the moment Sadakuro appears in Act Five of the play. Shun'ei's use of bold lines and contrasting colors emphasizes the dramatic pose of the actor, highlighting his fierce determination and the play's emotional intensity. This print, which exemplifies the artistry of the Edo period, is a captivating glimpse into the world of Japanese kabuki theatre and the enduring legacy of Chushingura.