Description
In June 1794 at the Kawarazaki Theater, this Kabuki actor portrayed a father who commits suicide after being disgraced by his daughter who has had a child out of wedlock. The intense expression of the mouth and eyes demonstrates the conventional mie pose used by actors to show heightened emotion.
A member of the famous Ichikawa acting family, Ebizo IV is recognized here by his family crest--three nested boxes-- visible on his robes. The design recalls the three boxes of rice given to the actor as a gift by a fan. It was the Ichikawa family crest for over 300 years.
A member of the famous Ichikawa acting family, Ebizo IV is recognized here by his family crest--three nested boxes-- visible on his robes. The design recalls the three boxes of rice given to the actor as a gift by a fan. It was the Ichikawa family crest for over 300 years.
Provenance
(Yamanaka & Co., New York, NY, sold to Edward Loder Whittemore); Edward Loder Whittemore [1862-1930], Cleveland, OH, ?-1930, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?-1930); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1930-present (1930-)
Ichikawa Ebizō IV (Danjurō) as Takemura Sadanoshin in The Loving Wife's Parti-Colored Reins
1794
Accession Number
1930.205
Medium
color woodblock print
Dimensions
36 x 23.6 cm (14 3/16 x 9 5/16 in.)
Classification
Credit Line
Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore
