Retiring from the Kabuki Stage 1840

"Retiring from the Kabuki Stage" is a woodblock print by Chogaku, created in 1840. The print depicts a Kabuki actor riding a bull, symbolizing his retirement from the stage. The actor is dressed in elaborate robes, and the bull is adorned with bells. The image is framed by a traditional Japanese architectural element, with a view of a mountain landscape. The work, which is now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to the artistry of the woodblock print, a crucial component of the rich visual culture of Edo-period Japan.