Actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Ishikawa Goemon - Shunkōsai Hokushū

A striking ōkubi-e woodblock print by Shunkōsai Hokushū featuring the kabuki actor Nakamura Utaemon III in a dramatic theatrical role.

This woodblock print by Shunkōsai Hokushū depicts the kabuki actor Nakamura Utaemon III in the role of the legendary outlaw Ishikawa Goemon. The composition focuses on the actor's head and shoulders, a format known as ōkubi-e, which allows for a detailed examination of the performer's facial expression and costume. The actor wears a distinctive headpiece with red, fan-like elements flanking his face, while his expression is one of intense concentration or dramatic defiance, typical of the aragoto style of acting.

Hokushū, a prominent artist of the Kamigata school based in Osaka, produced this work during the early nineteenth century. Unlike the Edo-based artists who often favoured idealised beauty, the Osaka school focused on the specific features of individual actors. The print captures the physical presence of Utaemon III, a performer of great repute during his era. The fine lines of the woodblock carving define the actor's features, from the sharp arch of his eyebrows to the subtle shading around his chin. The patterned fabric of his costume, rendered with precision, provides a contrast to the bold, solid black of his outer garment.

The print reflects the cultural climate of the period, where kabuki theatre provided both entertainment and a source of visual inspiration for the public. The inclusion of calligraphic text in the upper right corner identifies the actor and the specific character he portrays within the context of the Battle of Okehazama. This piece offers a glimpse into the theatrical traditions of Japan, documenting the intersection of performance art and printmaking. The use of colour is restrained, relying on the interplay between the black ink, the red accents, and the neutral tones of the paper to create a balanced visual effect.