Accession Number
2003/1.436.2

Title
Nakamura Shikan [III] as the child ... maru holding a handscroll (right half of diptych; pair with 2003/1.436.1)

Artist(s)
Utagawa Kunisada

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1836-1844

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
14 7/16 in. x 9 15/16 in. ( 36.6 cm x 25.2 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James Hayes

Subject matter
Actor Nakamura Shikan II, also known as Nakamura Utaemon IV, was born in 1796 and active from 1813 until his death in 1852.  He was best known for his roles in period plays and good at tachiyaku (lead protagonist), jitsuaku (villain), and onnagata (“female form” or “female role”) roles.  

Physical Description
In this print, a boy sits on a crate.  His robe is green with elaborate patterns.  His blue pants are torn and show the green of the robe underneath.  He holds a blue scroll up over his head.  A black bird flies above him.
 
Inscriptions: Artist’s signature: Kunisada ga: Publisher’s seal: Tōriaburachō, Tsuruki han; censor’s seal: kiwame; Ji Sutewakamaru, Nakamura Shikan

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color 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
children (people by age group)
crows (birds)
kabuki
scrolls (information artifacts)
theater (discipline)