Actor in Role of Ishidamari Busuke

Gosōtei Hirosada, artist

active circa 1819–1863

Actor in Role of Ishidamari Busuke, circa 1860, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 220 x 157 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 251 x 175 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 8 11/16 x 6 3/16 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 9 7/8 x 6 7/8 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: Lucy Shaw Schultz Fund

Accession number: 1993.0316

Not on display

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Label texts

Archive Label 2003:
This print by Hirosada, an Osaka print artist, presents a classic example of actor portraiture. The actor, though unidentified except by the name of the character he played, is presented in dramatic close-up that fills the frame. The light blue, shaved part of his head and his cross-eyed gaze are typical conventions used in actor prints. Actors were required to shave their heads in this characteristic fashion. The cross-eyed gaze, or mie, is taken from the Kabuki convention of holding a pose and gaze for a moment during the performance of the play to emphasize climactic moments.