{"product_id":"actors-ichikawa-danjuro-5th-and-iwai-hanshiro-4th-katsukawa-shunei","title":"Actors Ichikawa Danjūrō 5th and Iwai Hanshirō 4th - Katsukawa Shun'ei","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei featuring kabuki actors Ichikawa Danjūrō 5th and Iwai Hanshirō 4th in a dramatic theatrical scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei depicts two prominent kabuki actors of the late eighteenth century. Ichikawa Danjūrō 5th stands in a commanding posture, holding a staff, while Iwai Hanshirō 4th kneels before him. The composition reflects the conventions of yakusha-e, or actor prints, which were popular in Edo period Japan. Shun'ei was a student of Katsukawa Shunshō and became known for his ability to capture the distinct facial features and dramatic intensity of performers on stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print employs a restrained colour palette, typical of the period, using soft tones against a pale background. The lines are precise, defining the folds of the kimono and the expressive countenances of the subjects. The presence of a pine tree in the background provides a sense of setting, often used in theatrical prints to suggest an outdoor scene or a specific location within a play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatsukawa Shun'ei was active during a time when the kabuki theatre was a central form of entertainment in Edo. His work often focused on the exaggerated expressions and poses that defined the aragoto style of acting, associated with the Ichikawa line. This particular piece captures a moment of interaction between the two figures, conveying a narrative tension through their physical positioning. The print serves as a record of the theatrical culture of the time, documenting the appearance and performance styles of celebrated actors. Collectors of Japanese woodblock prints value such works for their historical connection to the kabuki stage and the technical skill involved in the carving and printing process. The work remains a clear example of the Katsukawa school's approach to portraiture, prioritising the individual character of the actor over idealised forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/a-party-of-merrymakers-in-a-house-in-the-yoshiwara-on-a-moonlight-night-kitagawa-utamaro\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eA Party of Merrymakers in a House in the Yoshiwara on a Moonlight Night - Kitagawa Utamaro — Kitagawa Utamaro\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-moon-viewing-promontory-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Moon-Viewing Promontory - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Katsukawa Shun'ei","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58428800172367,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58428811018575,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58428811051343,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58428811084111,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58428811116879,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58428811149647,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58428811182415,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58428811215183,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58428811247951,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58428811280719,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58428811313487,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58428811346255,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Actors-Ichikawa-Danj-r-5th-and-Iwai-Hanshir-4th_Poster_CompositorV1_1786170993614.jpg?v=1786227643","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/actors-ichikawa-danjuro-5th-and-iwai-hanshiro-4th-katsukawa-shunei","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}