Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as a puppeteer c. 1749

This ukiyo-e woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyonobu, created in 1749, depicts the famed puppeteer Sanogawa Ichimatsu I in a kneeling pose. Ichimatsu I is shown holding a puppet, likely of a female character, in a dynamic pose that suggests the puppeteer is about to animate the figure for an audience. Toyonobu's detailed portrayal of both the puppeteer and the puppet, as well as the intricate patterns of their clothing, are characteristic of his ukiyo-e style, which focused on capturing the vibrancy and artistry of Edo-period entertainment. The work is part of the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago.