Actor Bandō Hikosaburō VI as Matsuōmaru 1928

This woodblock print, titled "Actor Bandō Hikosaburō VI as Matsuōmaru," was created in 1928 by the renowned Japanese artist Natori Shunsen (1886-1960). The print depicts Bandō Hikosaburō VI, a famous kabuki actor, in a striking pose, his face painted with dramatic kabuki makeup, as he portrays the character Matsuōmaru. The print captures the intensity and theatricality of kabuki performance, a traditional Japanese form of musical drama, with vivid colors and bold lines. The print is held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and showcases Shunsen's mastery of the woodblock printing technique.