Katsukawa Shunshō. Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V in a Shibaraku role / Hosoban, 1776.

Artist: Katsukawa Shunshō (勝川春章, 1726–1792)

Signed: 春章画 (Shunshō ga)

Publisher: Not identified

Date: c. 1770s

Media: Nishiki-e (multi-coloured woodblock print), hosoban, 316 × 146 mm

Actor: Ichikawa Danjūrō V [市川團十郎] (Japanese, 1741–1806); other names: Ichikawa Ebizō, Ichikawa Hakuen I, Matsumoto Kōshirō III, Matsumoto Kōzō, Matsumoto Umimaru, Naritaya Shichizaemon, Ichikawa Sanshō III.

The actor’s portrait shows him in full-length, three-quarter view, facing left. He strikes a dynamic pose in a Shibaraku (暫く, Wait a moment! ) costume, holding a folded fan under his chin with his right hand and gripping the hilt of an oversized katana with his left. He wears the characteristic persimmon-red (kaki-iro) suō jacket with bold square sleeves and matching naga-bakama (長袴, long trailing trousers). The sword is so long that its tip is visible on the actor's right side.

His face is painted in dramatic red-and-white kumadori (隈取) makeup, and a mass of mizuhiki (水引) paper ornaments, symbolizing strength, protrudes from his wig, which is tied with stiff white paper strips. The costume also includes a brocade obi (帯) decorated with cranes (鶴), a motif often associated with auspiciousness.

This impression closely matches a print in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (JP368), also by Katsukawa Shunshō, depicting Danjūrō V in the same costume and role. Based on this comparison, the print can be dated to the 11th month of 1776, likely from the same production: Ima o Sakari Suehiro Genji (今を盛末広源氏), performed at the Nakamura-za.

The Shibaraku performance was typically included in kaomise (顔見世) productions at the beginning of the kabuki season and featured the actor bursting onto the stage to fight injustice. Danjūrō V’s performance in this role marked an important part of his career, often incorporating strong mie (見得) poses and commanding stage presence.