The Actor Ichimura Takenojo VIII in the Role of a Puppeteer, showing Puppets to a Courtesan 1705 - 1725

"The Actor Ichimura Takenojo VIII in the Role of a Puppeteer, showing Puppets to a Courtesan" is a black and white woodblock print by the Japanese artist Torii Kiyomasu I. It depicts the famous Kabuki actor Ichimura Takenojo VIII, known for his roles as puppeteers, showing puppets to a courtesan in a scene likely taken from a popular play. The print, a ukae-e (actor portrait) typical of the early Edo period, features a detailed depiction of the actors’ costumes and the dramatic scene, highlighting Kiyomasu I’s mastery of the ukiyo-e style. This print is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.