Lovebirds and Lightening in the Summer Rain: Nakamura Fukusuke IV as Okuni

Accession Number
2003/1.409.2

Title
Lovebirds and Lightening in the Summer Rain: Nakamura Fukusuke IV as Okuni

Artist(s)
Toyohara Chikanobu

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1886

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
14 1/16 in x 9 7/16 in (35.8 cm x 24 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James Hayes

Subject matter
Actor Nakamura Fukusuke IV, also known as Nakamura Utaemon V, was born in Edo in 1866 and active in kabuki from 1877 until his death in 1940. He was known for his roles in jidaimono (period plays) and sewamono (contemporary plays). He was best known for his onnagata (“female form” or “female role”) roles and was called the best onnagata in the east and west (i.e. all of Japan).
 

Physical Description
In this image, a woman holds a pin up to her hair. She wears a blue patterned robe and a black sash with a purple, floral border. The wall behind her is missing in places. Above her is a shelf.
 
This is the center panel of a triptych (with 2003/1.409.1 and 2003/1.409.3).

Inscriptions: Okuni, Nakaura Fukusuke; Toyohara Chikanobu hitsu (Artist's signature); Takekawa Sekichi (Publisher's seal)

 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
actors
gates
interior spaces (spaces by location)
kabuki
kimonos
theater (discipline)
women (female humans)

1 Related Resource

Kabuki Images
(Part of 10 Learning Collections)

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted