Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of an Elderly Woodcutter
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
The small scale and delicate printing of this image indicate that it was a private commission, or surimono print. It was created for a poetry club to celebrate the new year; the loosely written inscription on the left is a poem about spring. This was the center image in a trio of prints depicting players in a dance-drama about Kintarō, the boy superhero of Japanese legends. Here, Ichikawa Danjūrō VII, the most prominent Kabuki star of his generation, dons a white wig and wields a giant axe to play an elderly woodcutter, one of the few humans who helped raise young Kintarō as he grew up in the wilderness.
Caption
Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) Japanese, 1786–1865. Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of an Elderly Woodcutter, circa 1828. Woodblock print, shikishiban format; deluxe printing, 6 5/16 x 7 7/8 in. (16 x 20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Eleanor Z. Wallace in memory of her husband, Dr. Stanley L. Wallace, 2002.121.6. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.121.6_IMLS_PS3.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of an Elderly Woodcutter
Date
circa 1828
Period
Edo Period
Geography
Place made: Japan
Medium
Woodblock print, shikishiban format; deluxe printing
Classification
Dimensions
6 5/16 x 7 7/8 in. (16 x 20 cm)
Signatures
Signed: "Gototei Kunisada ga"
Inscriptions
Poem reads: Crossing over hills Passing through valleys, even when just a chick the bush warbler was drawn to the spring breeze. Signed Fukutokyo of Kawagoe
Markings
Sealed: Toshidama (double loop below signature, LR corner: this is two otoshidama parcels, which are coins wrapped in cloth, given to children at New Years). Poetry Club: Shipporen (red seal UR corner)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Eleanor Z. Wallace in memory of her husband, Dr. Stanley L. Wallace
Accession Number
2002.121.6
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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