Buncho and Shunsho: The Stage as Fans
One of the oldest classical forms of dance-drama, kabuki dates back over 400 years. The strong, animated actors of kabuki were idolized by the public and proved to be invigorating subjects for ukiyo-e artists. Two of the greatest artists in actor portraiture were Ippitsusai Buncho (fl.1765-1792) and Katsukawa Shunsho (1726-1792) and together they designed the dynamic series of kabuki portraits of the mid-18th century, Ehon Butai Ogi or Picture Book of Stage Fans. Designed and printed in 1770, each page features a half-length portrait of an actor framed by a fan shape. Both artists were brilliant in representing the individual character of each actor through subtle variations in their facial features.
15 Products
Kabuki Actor Zamoto (Theater Manager) Uzaemon
Shunsho
Kabuki Actor Zamoto (Theater Manager) Uzaemon
JP1434