The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Soga no Goro Tokimune in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanegaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1789 c. 1789

This ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei depicts the famous kabuki actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Soga no Goro Tokimune in the play "Koi no Yosuga Kanegaki Soga," which was performed at the Ichimura Theater in 1789. The actor is shown in a dramatic pose, wearing elaborate costumes with intricate patterns. The print was created during the Edo period, a time of great artistic and cultural flourishing in Japan. Ukiyo-e prints were popular among the common people and often depicted scenes from kabuki plays, everyday life, and popular culture. The print exemplifies the vibrant and dynamic artistic style of Shun'ei, known for his bold lines and vivid colors. It provides a glimpse into the world of Edo-period theater and the lives of its actors.