Lineup of Five Great Kabuki Actors: Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I as Gon of the Treasure Knot
Toyohara Kunichika
Description
Subject Matter:
Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I (Ichikawa Danjūrō IX) was born in Edo in 1838 and active in kabuki from 1843 until his death in 1903. His father was Ichikawa Danjūrō VII. He was known for his roles in jidaimono (period plays) as well as sewamono (contemporary plays). He played tachiyaku (lead protagonist), jitsuaku (villain), and onnagata (“female form” or “female role”) roles and was famous in Japan and internationally.
Physical Description:
This is a portrait of a man looking off to the side. He wears a bright blue robe with white decorations. He holds a cloth behind his neck in one hand. The background is red plaid. A sky-blue inset above the man’s head has several lines of calligraphy.
Inscriptions: Takaramusubi no gon; (Calligraphy); Kunichika hitsu (Artist's signature); Ningyōchō, Gusokuya (Publisher's seal); u 6, aratame (Censors' seal)
Usage Rights:
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.