Daikagura Performers by Katsushika Hokusai

Daikagura Performers c. 19th century

print, ink, color-on-paper

abstract painting

water colours

print

japan

handmade artwork painting

ink

color-on-paper

coloured pencil

underpainting

painting painterly

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

mixed medium

watercolor

"Daikagura Performers" is a woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, a renowned Japanese artist known for his "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series. This work, dating back to the 19th century, depicts a vibrant scene with figures participating in a Daikagura performance, a traditional Japanese dance. In the background, Mount Fuji stands majestically, showcasing Hokusai’s signature style and his fascination with the iconic mountain. This ukiyo-e print provides a glimpse into Japanese culture and artistic traditions, capturing a moment of lively celebration. The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses this artwork, showcasing its historical and artistic significance.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Daikagura performers organized into traveling troupes at New Year’s in order to distribute amulets from the great Shinto shrine at Ise. They performed the shishimai, the dance of divine lions, and a variety of acrobatic feats. In this print, a group of women and children chance upon a Daikagura troupe. To the delight of one boy, an entertainer is doing a balancing act while simultaneously playing the flute. One of his companions keeps time by beating a drum while another unpacks. Other auspicious motifs in the composition include a view of Mount Fuji in the background and a blossoming plum tree, considered a harbinger of spring. The ideogram for longevity appears on the boy’s kite. This celebratory composition was probably commissioned for a poetry society’s publication of poems in commemoration of the New Year. Unfortunately, the text that would have helped identify the poetry group has been trimmed from the image.