The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon XIII and Ichimura Takematsu III 1862

This woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshiiku, created in 1862, depicts two prominent Kabuki actors, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII and Ichimura Takematsu III. The actors, dressed in vibrant, ornate costumes, are shown in a seated pose, likely a scene from a popular Kabuki play. Utagawa Yoshiiku's dynamic use of color and line conveys a sense of drama and energy, capturing the essence of the actors' theatrical persona. This print, "The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon XIII and Ichimura Takematsu III," is an excellent example of the ukiyo-e genre, which flourished in Edo-period Japan and documented the lives and fashions of everyday people.