Onoe Matsusuke as a Man Standing at Night at Yoshiwara 1768 - 1772

This ukiyo-e print, “Onoe Matsusuke as a Man Standing at Night at Yoshiwara,” was created by the artist Ippitsusai Bunchō in 1768-72. The print features a kabuki actor, Onoe Matsusuke, depicted in a nighttime scene at Yoshiwara, a red-light district in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). The actor is standing next to a lantern, his stance and expression suggesting a moment of contemplation or weariness. This print is a beautiful example of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodblock prints, known for its vibrant colors and detailed depictions of everyday life, theater, and popular culture.