Accession Number
2003/1.437

Title
Unidentified Play: Bando Shūka I as Fujiya Azuma

Artist(s)
Utagawa Kunisada

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1839

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
14 11/16 in x 10 1/16 in (37.3 cm x 25.5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James Hayes

Subject matter
Actor Bandō Shūka I also held the name Bandō Mitsugorō V. He was born in 1813 and active from 1824 until shortly before his death in 1854. He was known for both period and contemporary plays and for his portrayal of young onnagata, a word that means “female form” or “female role”.  

Physical Description
The woman in this print squats among the tall grasses and flowers. She wears a brown robe that fades into blue with pictures of moths at the bottom. Her hair is elaborately decorated. In her right hand she holds out an open fan.
 
Inscriptions: Kuni (Artist’s signature, faded) Kichi (Publisher’s seal); kiwame (Censor’s seal); Fujiya Atsuma, Bandō Shūka

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
Hedyloidea (superfamily)
actors
actors (performing artists)
fans (costume accessories)
flowers (plant components)
kabuki
kimonos
theater (discipline)
women (female humans)