Rigid uchiwa fan, ink and colour on paper. Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII in a crimson red robe, on his knees in a ceremonial bowing position to the audience during a formal stage announcement before the performance (
Kojo, 口上). The fan has been used, dismounted from the frame, and laid onto Japanese paper, hence the rib marks. Painted c. 1850.
Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII [市川団十郎] (Japanese, 1823 – 1854); other names: Ichikawa Ebizō VI, Ichikawa Shinnosuke II.
Artist:
Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞], a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代 歌川 豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865).
Signed: Toyokuni hitsu [豊国
筆] with red toshidama seal.
Dimensions: 280 x 325 mm
Reference: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII by
Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳, 1855.