Ippitsusai Bunchō [一筆斎文調] (Japanese, 1725 – 1794).

Size: Vertical Hosoban.

As the Library of Congress put it: “Print shows the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II, full-length portrait, facing left, standing on the snow-covered veranda”.

Actor: Ichikawa Monnosuke II [市川門之助] (Japanese, 1743/56 – 1794); other names: Ichikawa Benzō I, Takinaka Hidematsu II, Takinaka Tsuruzō. According to Heroes of the Kabuki Stage [LIB-1197.2016] Ichikawa Monnosuke II was active from 11/1770 to 10/1794.

Play: Chūshingura [忠臣蔵] (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers), played at Nakamuraza in the 4^the month of Meiwa 8 (1771).

The actor played in a variety of roles and performances and was the subject of multiple woodblock prints by many famous ukiyo-e artists, including Bunchō, Katukawa Shunkō, Katukawa Shunshō, Katsukawa Shun’ei, Tōshūsai Sharaku, and many others.

Ref: Vever (1976), vol. 1, № 242, p. 227.

Katsukawa Shun’ei. The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II in an Aragoto Role. LACME.

Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Date no Yosaku Artist Tôshûsai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794–1795), Publisher Tsutaya Jûzaburô (Kôshodô) (Japanese) 1794 (Kansei 6), 5th month. MFA.

Ippitsusai Bunchô. Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Tsunewakamaru. Play: Iro Moyô Aoyagi Soga Theater: Nakamura. MFA.