Shikata nue, from the series "Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays (Yamato irotake)" c. 1705 - 1706

This woodblock print, created by Okumura Masanobu around 1705-1706, depicts a scene from a Japanese puppet play. The print is from a series titled “Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays (Yamato irotake)” and shows a puppet character, Shikata nue, holding a long stick and a broom, in a dynamic pose. Masanobu was a prolific artist who is known for his detailed and expressive illustrations of Japanese theater. This print showcases his skill in capturing the movement and emotion of a puppet performance through the lines and shadows of the woodblock print. The print is a valuable example of Japanese art and its connection to traditional theater.