Backstage Celebrations of a Full-house Hit at the Nakamura Theater
Utagawa Kunisada
Description
Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞
Japan, 1786–1865
Backstage Celebrations of a Full-House Hit at the Nakamura Theater
Edo period (1615–1868)
1811–14
Triptych, color woodblock print on paper
Museum purchase for the Paul Leroy Grigaut Memorial Collection,
1969/2.143-5
During the eighteenth century, artists harnessed the medium of
woodblock printing to produce popular prints depicting a range of
subjects. While early woodblock prints were mainly black and white,
polychrome prints were later produced using a separate carved wood
block for each color. In an effort to avoid overlapping the colors,
two notches were carved into each block to help the printer align
them during multiple rounds of printing. Some of the more detailed
sections of these prints, such as the robes of the figures arranged
around a circle in the center of the composition, reveal the areas
where the sometimes-misaligned blocks nonetheless overlapped,
resulting in blurred boundaries between the different colors used.
Such instances of overlap, as well as traces of the wood grain in
the print, give us insight into the laborious production process of
these ambitious prints and allow us to more fully appreciate the
workmanship that went into their production.
Displayed as one of three panels.
(Japanese Gallery Rotation, Summer 2025)
Subject Matter:
This image depicts the backstage area of Nakamura-za Theater following a successful performance. The Nakamura-za Theater was one of three kabuki theaters in Edo (Tokyo) and home to many famous kabuki actors. According to early accounts, it opened in 1624. After several turbulent decades, it finally closed in 1893.
Physical Description:
In this image, several men and a woman sit on the floor, eating in a relaxed and animated manner. Behind them, at the top left, two older men sit on a raised platform, engaged in something serious. Clothes can be seen folded in containers and the back of the print. Another room is visible at the bottom right.
This is the center panel of a tryptich (with 1969/2.143 and 1969/2.145)
Inscriptions: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Publisher's seal); Kunisada ga (Artist's signature)
Usage Rights:
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